Quotes from Sharon M. Draper

each grabbing one silver-wrapped chocolate from Mrs. Cooper's basket, it struck Stella that everyone got the same thing, no matter which school they went to.

The doors of Target opened with a welcoming swoosh, and I was instantly distracted. Yeah. Target does that to me. I feel at home. They've got stuff I need. Stuff I don't need. Stuff I didn't even know I wanted. Neatly placed and waiting for me. I love that place.

A library filled with thousands of books waiting for a thirsty kid like me to gulp them down.

All the salve in the world can't cure what gets broken in somebody's soul" -Mama

Never be afraid to be honest and stand up for what is right, Stella," he said pointedly. "Just remember to balance your courage with wisdom.

There is an unseen river of communication that forever flows -- dark and powerful.

I hate that word, by the way. Retarded. I

What's the sense of living if you're ashamed of yourself? Stella's father said almost to himself.

Qué harías si pudieras volar? -preguntó la señora mientras desviaba la vista del pájaro y la posaba en mí. -¿Es una pregunta para el concurso? -escribí con una sonrisa. -Creo que ya estudiamos todo -respondió sonriendo entre dientes. -Tendría miedo de lanzarme -tecleé. -¿Por temor a caer? -preguntó. -No. Por temor a que la sensación de volar me resultara demasiado agradable -me llevó mucho tiempo escribir eso.

My parents have always blanketed me with conversation.

I was just thinking about me having children. Or being a grandma!" She giggled. "Think I'll be fat and have gray hair?" "I sure hope so," her father said, laughing himself.

A couple of weeks later my dad and I were in the car and we passed by a McDonald's. I screeched and kicked and pointed like Godzilla was coming down the street. Dad must have thought I was nuts. Finally, he said, "Would you like to stop and get a Big Mac and a shake for dinner tonight as a treat?

But Penny was born perfect and copper-bright, just like her name. From the minute she came home from the hospital, she was a really happy baby. Mom truly did carry a little bundle of joy into the house. But

Let me tell you something, Doctor. There is no way in heaven or hell that we will be sending Melody away to a nursing home!

she'll freak when she sees you!

It's like I live in a cage with no door and no key. And I have no way to tell someone how to get me out.

Step, fart. Step, fart. Step, fart.

Don't aim for riches, child. Aim for happiness." -Mrs. Mills

Stella wondered how silence could be so loud.

Down to the 23rd page of double dutch!

The morning started out like crystal, but the day has turned to broken glass.

Vorrei essere come gli altri ragazzi". "Quindi vorresti essere meschina, falsa e ottusa?" [...] "No. Vorrei essere normale." "Essere normali è uno schifo!" è sbottata.

Most of the time, their balloon zipped across that grass lik eit

Ain't gonna let nobody turn me round, Turn me round, turn me round. Ain't gonna let nobody turn me round. Gonna keep on walkin', keep on talkin' Marching up to freedom land.