In my family and among Korean-Americans, there just is no occasion that people would get together without bibimbap. It's something that people eat when they're wanting to celebrate or have a good time with friends.

A mistake made with good in your heart is still a mistake, but it is one for which you must forgive yourself.

Each of my books has taken me a different length of time to write - eight months for Seesaw Girl, eight months for Shard, three years for When My Name Was Keoko! The publisher takes another year and a half to work on the book, so altogether each book can take up to three or four years to publish.

Libraries hold the wisdom of the world and the stories of the ages - available to everyone, free of charge!

I do think that part of literature's job is to comment on and participate in the social issues of the time.

Reading for writers is like training for athletes.

I used to sit home with my computer and write. After the Newbery, I probably spend more than half my time on the road.