We all know what fun it can be to get right into a book and live there for a while, but falling out of a story and suddenly finding yourself in this world doesn't seem to be much fun at all.

Accursed, blasted, heartless things [books]! Full of empty promises, full of false lures, always making you hungry, never satisfying you, never!

Every reader knows about the feeling that characters in books seem more real than real people.

He flung his arms around her neck, but only once he saw Silvertoungue's back was turned. He never knew with fathers. "I'll save him, Meggie!" he wispered in her ear. "I'll bring Dustfinger back. This story will have a happy ending.I swear!

Since when does the butterfly ask about the caterpillar?

He wants to be grown-up. How different dreams can be! Nature will soon grant your wish.

My daughter, Anna, is almost 15, and my son, Ben, is almost 10.