I've been the oldest child since before you were born

There were times in school when a person had to do things fast, cheap, and without character.

How can you know what is missing if you’ve never met it? You must know of something’s existence before you can notice its absence.

Claudia knew that she could never pull off the old-fashioned kind of running away. That is, running away in the heat of anger with a knapsack on her pack. She didn't like discomfort; even picnics were untidy and inconvenient: all those insects and the sun melting the icing on the cupcakes. Therefore, she decided that her leaving home would not be just running from somewhere but would be running to somewhere.

Never have a long conversation with anyone who says "between you and I.

Whenever someone makes out a guest list, the people not on it become officially uninvited, and that makes them the enemies of the invited. Guest lists are just a way of choosing sides.

Secrets are the kind of adventure she needs. Secrets are safe, and they do much to make you different. On the inside where it counts.