They were French, they were Jews, and they were you.

You can't eat books, sweetheart.

Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are.

The best word shakers were the ones who understood the true power of words. They were the ones who could climb the highest.

They'd been standing like that for thirty seconds of forever.

You ever hear a dog cry, Steve? You know, howling so loud it's almost unbearable?' He nodded. 'I reckon they howl like that because they're so hungry it hurts, and that's what I feel in me every day of my life. I'm so hungry to be somethin' - to be somebody. You hear me?' He did. 'I'm not lyin' down ever. Not for you. Not for anyone.' I ended it. 'I'm hungry, Steve.' Sometimes I think they're the best words I've ever said. 'I'm hungry.

She didn't dare to look up, but she could feel their frightened eyes hanging onto her as she hauled the words in and breathed them out. A voice played the notes inside her. This, it said, is your accordion.