Any story that gets us thinking, and particularly young people, thinking why? Whether it's as a result of reading the book, or coming out of the theatre or the cinema, I think we should just simply be asking the question 'why'? Why did it happen to those people? Was it necessary? And anything that gets us thinking like that is really important.

It is the child's understanding that teaches the adults the way of the future. They're still doing it today with modern technology.

I don't know, but I do think that everyone has a story to tell. The question is, can they find the voice and the confidence to tell it? We lack the encouragement as young people to believe this; we very often think that writing is for clever people, which it isn't.

There's a nobility in his eye, a regal serenity about him. Does he not personify all that men try to be and never can be?

Don't worry about writing a book or getting famous or making money. Just lead an interesting life.

But I didn’t dare. That has always been my trouble. I’ve never dared enough.

We're much alike, bee, you and me," I said. "You may carry your pack underneath you and your rifle may stick out of your bottom. But you and me, bee, are much alike.