You don't have to fight dragons to write books. You just have to live deeply the life you've been given.

I'm sure my first nine years have had a powerful influence on the kind of books I write.

Our fundamental task as human beings is to seek out connections-to exercise our imaginations.

Shh" he said. "Look." "Where?" "Can't you see'um?" he whispered. "All the Terabithians standing on tiptoe to see you." "Me?" "Shh, yes. There's a rumor going around that the beautiful girl arrving today might be the queen they've been waiting for.

. . . Jess believed, that she thought he was the best. It was not the kind of best that counted either at school or at home, but it was a genuine kind of best. He kept the knowledge of it buried inside himself like a pirate treasure. He was rich, very rich, but no one could know about it for now except his fellow outlaw, Julia Edmunds.

What I have come to believe is that joy is the twin sister of gratitude. I am most joyful when I am most grateful.

Punch after punch after punch. February is a mean bully. Nothing could be worse - except August.