That was the rule that you never mixed up troubles at home with life at school. When parents were poor or ignorant or mean, or even just didn't believe in having a TV set, it was up to their kids to protect them.

Reading has made such a profound difference to my life. I'm sure I became a writer because of the power of literature in my own life.

I guess real maturity, which most of us never achieve, is when you realize that you're not the center of the universe.

A great novel is a kind of conversion experience. We come away from it changed.

Everybody gets scared sometimes, May Belle. You don't have to be ashamed.

As much pleasure as young people get from Twittering and texting, there is no way these activities will nourish their minds and spirits the way literature can.

Many people are angry when they make a mistake, but very few people have the sense to be sorry.