Dear God," said Nudge under her breath, "I want real parents. But I want them to want me too. I want them to love me. I already love them. Please see what you can do. Thanks very much. Love, Nudge." Okay, so I'm not saying we were pros at this or anything. (Max thoughts)

Never underestimate the power of funny, it moves mountains.

All genders?' whispered Nudge. 'Aren't there just the two' I shrugged. 'No idea. Maybe they've created others.

How is San Francisco, Alex? Lovely city. Will you leave your heart there? Do you think it's a good place to die?

Max: "Fang! This is a huge break! Of course we should go check it out!" Fang: "But we're grounded." Max and Fang: (stare at each other for a second and burst out laughing)

Just because life is hard, and always ends in a bad way, doesn't mean that all stories have to, even if that's what they tell us in school and in the New York Times Review. In fact, it's a good thing that stories are as different as we are, one from another.

You looove me. You love me this much.