We're alike, Jess would tell himself, me and Miss Edmunds . . . We don't belong at Lark Creek, Julia and me.

Death is very mysterious to us. One moment someone is there with us, and the next moment they're not.

It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations- something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own.

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

life ain't supposed to be nothing, 'cept maybe tough

Everything comes in useful once in a hundred years.

We can read the paper or current magazines and learn about national and world events, think about controversial subjects, learn how to disagree respectfully, and how, finally, to act on our convictions. We can read for pure delight, and if we do this as a family or classroom or other group we can build wonderful memories.