Stories are important...They can be more important than anything. If they carry the truth.

Schooling ain't life." "Ain't it?" she says, her eyebrows raising in mock surprise.

Never trust a politician, Todd. They have no fixed center, so you can never believe them.

Her accent's funny, different from mine, different from anyone in Prentisstown's. Her lips make different kinds of outlines for the letters, like they're swooping down on them from above, pushing them into shape, telling them what to say. In Prentisstown, everyone talks like they're sneaking up on their words, ready to club them from behind.

I don’t know what’s ahead,” I say. “I don’t know nothing about nothing but whatever it is, it’s gotta be better than what’s behind. It’s gotta be.

To see the ocean once is to learn how to miss it. ~Mistress Coyle

We sure as ruddy heck ain't in Prentisstown no more," I say to Manchee under my breath.