If you're a kid who is always on the outside hoping to be on the inside, you're watching a lot. You're trying to figure out how to become a normal person in a society that considers you weird.

Trouble can always be borne when it is shared.

Sometimes it seemed to him that his life was delicate as a dandelion. One little puff from any direction, and it was blown to bits.

Lord, let me heed the angels you put in my path.

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

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.

Reading can be a road to freedom or a key to a secret garden, which, if tended, will transform all of life.