But while mum and dad were incredibly caring, it was also a very chaotic household where everyone fought about everything. So I know what it's like to internalize all that chaos.

You treat a kid with respect and as an adult you talk to them as if they're smart people. But you don't throw at them the trappings of adulthood and you know, the darker stuff.

Books have a unique way of stopping time in a particular moment and saying: Let’s not forget this.

The raising of a child is the building of a cathedral. You can't cut corners.

She pulls away, pats me on the shoulder with three mini-pats, like those used to pet reptiles.

If your hand doesn't work for it, your heart doesn't feel sorry for it.

The only thing that everyone needs to look out for is keeping the students reading through high school and thereafter.