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.

And what I was feeling was the wonder Of being more than me, of being more Than mere here and now allowed I had become a shining star, a burning nova Exploded with love Flying through an endlessly Expanding universe Away from the me that was Toward a me that is beyond Understanding.

New York is my favorite city.

I read a lot of comic books and any kind of thing I could find. One day, a teacher found me. She grabbed my comic book and tore it up. I was really upset, but then she brought in a pile of books from her own library. That was the best thing that ever happened to me.

I know what falling off the cliff means. I know from being considered a very bright kid to being considered like a moron and dropping out of school.

I think it's difficult for young people to acknowledge being smart, to knowledge being a reader. I see kids who are embarrassed to read books. They're embarrassed to have people see them doing it.

he was trying to convince himself that he wasn't guilty.