Ender Wiggin must believe that no matter what happens, no adult will ever, ever step in to help him in any way.

Dona Crista laughed a bit. "Oh, Pip, I'd be glad for you to try. But do believe me, my dear friend, touching her heart is like bathing in ice." I imagine. I imagine it feels like bathing in ice to the person touching her. But how does it feel to her? Cold as she is, it must surely burn like fire.

I taught you everything you know. But I didn't teach you everything I know.

This is the Speaker for the Dead? Judging someone by appearances?" "Maybe I've fallen in love with Grego." "You've always been a sucker for people who pee on you.

A character is what he does, yes - but even more, a character is what he means to do.

Knowledge is just opinion that you trust enough to act upon.

Anything can become a children's book if you give it to a child...Children are actually the best (and worst) audience for literature because they have no patience with pretence.