Quotes from Maureen Johnson

Stevie hated football, and she specifically hated the car commercials that were in football, and she specifically hated the car commercials that were in football, with the meaningless slogans and aggressive masculine messages about how important it was for Americans to drive up rocks and treat every trip to the store or a soccer game like a single-person invasion. Maybe she was overthinking this.

WOKE THE NEXT MORNING, WHICH WAS A GOOD START. WHEN things are bad, give yourself a point for everything.

His likes were video games, not going to class, not talking about his past . . . And Stevie.

Never say sorry as a greeting

Let her have her moose.

I spoke to each counselor, one-on-one, to find out exactly what was going on that night. When I got to Paul—he couldn't really answer. He said something vague about taking a walk. I knew right away what that meant. I knew he was gay. I knew who most of my gay kids were, and I always tried to look out for them. I was gay and closeted too, but I was an adult.

Okay, maybe it didn't get that close and it didn't move that much, but it still came toward me, and if you've been chased by an alligator at any distance or speed, I don't think people should get all 'But how far was it? And how fast was it going?

The walked in silence for a moment. The world was spinning easily as she comprehended what was going on--he was doing sexy for _her._ Not the other way around. He was trying so hard, reaching for her.

This was one of those moments where she felt like she had failed at some primary task of life, to know the basics of an Indian takeout meal.

Overhead, Harry Styles sang out over the noise of the crowd, suggesting treating people with kindness.

Do you read much, George?" Albert asked. "No," George replied. "You should, you should. Reading is one of the great pleasures of life—maybe the greatest." "You must never have had a Cuban cigar." Albert Ellingham laughed. "It's true. All the money, all the power—none of it compares to a good book. A book gives you everything. It gives you a window into other souls, other worlds. The world is a door. Books are the key.

I felt the like blossom in me.

He's...like what I just said.

We do have a neighbor with a two-man rowboat lashed on top of the porch roof, all ready to go if the water rises - but that's Billy Mack, and he started his own religion in the garage, so he's got a lot more going on than just an extreme concern for personal safety.

It was the kind of morning that mocked the fear of the night before.

Stevie looked around for Janelle to help her, but Janelle was busy demonstrating proper sand-in-bottle technique to some kids. Some would have called this doing her job, but to Stevie, this was abandonment.

When this week was over, everything was over, so the party had to rage on as intensely and as long as possible.

Gaenor and Paul, her year twelve boyfriend, known to make out while eating shepherd's pie, which is not a euphemism.

He chowed down with the speed and force of a well-organised military campaign. He didn't so much have breakfast as defeat it.

Angela was lying to them. Why? Why bother lying when she could have been dismissive? Why say there's nothing about a lock when everything about your voice and body says there was definitely something about a lock, and that the lock was important?

In his school photo, Edward had a rakish grin, like he knew something the others did not. A bit like David.

And what else is she?" Jerome asked. Jazza didn't offer any reply so I chimed in with, "A bitchweasel?" "A bitchweasel!" Jazza's face lit up. "She's a bitchweasel! I love my new roommate.

Oh, the ongoing love affair between hair and mouths. Hair always goes for the mouth. The mouth opens, and hair says, "I'm going in! I'm going in!" like a manic cave diver.

Boo: "Go talk to her." Callum: "About what?" Boo: "Anything." Callum: "You want me to walk up to her and say, 'Are you a ghost?'" Boo: "I do that." Callum: "I love it when you get it wrong.