I'm not actually sure I'm grown-up enough for grown-up books.

I find the term 'perfect child' to be an oxymoron.

I still hadn’t cried. It wasn’t that kind of pain yet. Mostly, it was just this total feeling of emptiness in my gut. Like a cannonball had been shot cleanly through my middle. And I swear to god, I actually remember reaching under my sweatshirt and touching my stomach to see if you could feel the hole from the outside.

Says my brother, that’s who. And he’s in third grade. And he says teachers have to keep their house a secret. Or else kids might go there and throw rotten tomatoes.

Cause punishment takes the friendly right out of you.

I happen to think that a book is of extraordinary value if it gives the reader nothing more than a smile or two. It’s perfectly okay to take a book, read it, have a good time, giggle and laugh – and turn off the TV. I love that.

Except for not that Jim.” After a while, I started to get a little bit thirsty. That’s what happens when chalk sprinkles get in your throat.

I’m so lazy as far as liking to get up, go to the office in my pajamas, get dressed about noon. And I hate flying. So I have this really laid-back, good lifestyle, and it’s hard to nudge me out of it.

The upside to grief is it takes away your appetite. When people say you look good they really mean it. Nature’s thoughtful that way.

After that I behaved myself very good. I sat up real straight. And I did all my work. Work is when you use your brain and a pencil.