I'll never live to write all the stories I have in my head.

And I see the - you know, when I go to the juvenile detention centers and prisons, I see people who can't read now. And I know that when they leave those prisons and those detention centers, they're not going to be able to make it in our society.

I admired the work ethic of the cowboys I read about. The idea of these young people taking on this much responsibility was impressive. I would like modern readers to have an appreciation of this.

We all know we should eat right and we should exercise, but reading is treated as if it's this wonderful adjunct.

We need to tell young people that America was built by men and women of all colors and that the future of this country is dependent on the participation of all of our citizens.

Children have adopted a consumerist attitude - I dare you to entertain me.

Violence was just as much about WHAT was happening as it was how it happened.