I'm grateful for every teacher or librarian who reads a book and says, "This is exactly the book that so-and-so needs to read; I'll get it in his hands." I'm amazed at the network of adults who make sure that kids get books.

Allow me to congratulate you on your very astute powers of observation.

You are the ever-expanding universe to me

There is a lot of love in him, a lot of love in his heart...And he is up there with no one and nothing to love. It is a bad thing to have love and no where to put it.

I have learned how to love. And it's a terrible thing. I'm broken. My heart is broken. Help me.

I read whatever the publisher sends me.

All of that loneliness and longing in my heart got transferred into the book Because of Winn-Dixie, I guess.