You can't always judge people by the things they done. You got to judge them by what they are doing now.

In a dark time, doors will sometimes magically open and let us step inside to the warmth and light of a community.

Edward knew what it was like to say over and over again the names of those you had left behind. He knew what it was like to miss someone. And so he listened. And in his listening, his heart opened wide and then wider still. (page 103)

But still, here are the words Despereaux Tilling spoke to his father. He said, "I forgive you, Pa!" And he said those words because he sensed that it was the only way to save his heart, to stop it from breaking in two. Despereaux, reader, spoke those words to save himself.

It is important that you say what you mean to say. Time is too short. You must speak the words that matter.

In my stories for children, I sometimes show a hard, harsh, dangerous world. I'm going to show you the way it is, but I'm going to also tell you that there's every reason to hope.

Nothing new ever happens in the books. It's the same old theme.