I do believe that books can change lives and give people this kind of language they wouldn't have had otherwise.

Fifteen. Sixteen was probably something, but fifteen - fifteen was a place between here and nowhere.

Seems like every time life starts straightening itself out, something's gotta go and happen.

I love slow readers. And readers who think about what I've written, think about how it's written - and copy me!

That's what makes best friends. It's not whether or not you live on the same block or go to the same school, but how you feel about each other in your hearts.

In all your getting, get understanding.

Sometimes it seems as though not a moment has moved, but then you look up and you're already old or you already have a household of kids or you look down and see your feet are miles and miles away from the rest of you—and you realize you've grown up.