Quotes from Malorie Blackman

Love was like an avalanche, with Sephy and I hand-in-hand racing like hell to get out of it's way-only, instead of running away from it, we kept running straight towards it.

Because my mum and dad brought me up to believe that people are different but equal. And that I should treat everyone, no matter who, with the same respect I'd like to be shown.

He pulls the hood over my head. I try to pull back. I'm not trying to run away. I just want to see her... One last time...

The truth isn't going to bend itself to suit you.

Boys don't cry, but men do.

When did we stop being people, being human?

Temptation leans on the doorbell, but opportunity knocks only once.

Never, ever allow yourself to feel. Feelings kill.

Jude's rule number five: Never get to close to anyone or anything that you can't walk away at a moment's notice if you have to. When you have to.

Lynny's solution was better. Just fade out, until you were ready to fade back in.

Five years off my life... I wondered with a wry smile, would people be immortal if they didn't have kids?

When a chance for real happiness comes by, grab it with both hands and devour it. If it lasts five minutes or five lifetimes, it's still worth it.

Why was it that when noughts committed criminal acts, the fact that they were noughts was always pointed out? The banker was a Cross. The newsreader didn't even mention it.

Was that all love did for you? Made you give up and give in? Left you open to pain and hurt?

I wish... I wish he wasn't quite so ashamed of me. And if he could stop feeling so ashamed of himself, then maybe we might stand a chance.

Did you love Melanie?" asked Adam unexpectedly. There was no pause before I shook my head. "That's a shame," said Adam. "Why?" "Well, someone as special as your daughter should've been... made with love.

A backup plan means somewhere in my head, I think I might fail and that word is not in my vocabulary. Plus I'm too talented to fail.

I suppose it doesn't occur to you that I can think the system just as unjust as you do.

Who did it, Sephy?' She repeated. 'Who beat you up? 'Cause whoever it was, I'll kill them.

Reading is an exercise in empathy; an exercise in walking in someone else's shoes for a while.

What was it about the differences in others that scared some people so much?

If you're naive - which means immature, inexperienced, or a bit thick - you get eaten alive.

The higher you climb, the further you have to fall.

Jude's fourth law: Caring equals vulnerability. Never show either.