How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Mama believed in doctors, but not Granny. Not even if they were black. No, ma'am. I grew up in her house, back in Atlanta. She drank down a big cup of goldenrod tea every morning with a nutmeg floating in it, and declared she didn't need no other medicine. […]
I was thinking about her one day, walking home from the grocery store on Gibb Street. Then I came to the vacant lot and saw three people in different parts of it. I thought maybe they were looking for money. Turned out they had shovels, not metal detectors. When I saw they had little gardens going, I said to myself, "I believe I'll plant me a patch of goldenrod right here." (5.1-2)
Leona's grandmother definitely has a mind of her own, and it looks like Leona takes after her granny, because she's pretty feisty herself. Keep an eye out, because that goldenrod shows up in other parts of the book, too. (Hint: chapter 11.)
Quote #5
"Actually, madam, only this very first area here is ours," he said. […] "The others we have planted at the request of relatives who have no tools or who live too far." [...]
He pointed at the closest squares of land. "My brother Antoine. My auntie, Anne-Marie."
My eyes opened wide. They both lived in Haiti. I stared at my father, but he just kept smiling. His finger pointed farther to the left. "My Uncle Philippe." He lived in New York. "My wife's father." He died last year. "And her sister." My mother didn't have any sisters. I looked at my father's smiling face. I'd never watched an adult lie before. (7.8, 10-11)
At first, it seems pretty sweet that Virgil's dad is planting lettuce for the whole family. But soon, we learn that Virgil's dad is telling a lie. And a pretty elaborate one at that. In fact, the lie becomes bigger with each piece Virgil's dad adds to the story. What gives? And does this lie affect Virgil's relationship with his pops?
Quote #6
I quick go to store. Buy three funnels to make easier filling containers. I put one by each garbage can. That day I see man use my funnel. Then woman. Then many people. Feel very glad inside. Feel part of garden. Almost like family. (8.7)
Sae Young doesn't have any family left in Cleveland, but the community garden gets her feeling like she has close relationships again. She even compares the feeling of being part of the garden to being part of a family. What do you think: can the garden ever live up to her previous family?