Nothing in the whole world felt as good as being able to make something from a sudden idea.

Don't stop now. Go ahead! Be readers all of your lives. And don't forget, librarians and teachers can help you find the right books to read.

Ramona stepped back into her closet, slid the door shut, pressed an imaginary button, and when her imaginary elevator had made its imaginary descent, stepped out onto the real first floor and raced a real problem. Her mother and father were leaving for Parents' Night.

The humiliation that Jane had felt turned to something else--grief perhaps, or regret. Regret that she had not known how to act with a boy, regret that she had not been wiser.

Quite often somebody will say, What year do your books take place? and the only answer I can give is, In childhood.

What interests me is what children go through while growing up.

I didn't start out writing to give children hope, but I'm glad some of them found it.