How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Actually, Luke didn't know if there was anyone else like him. He wasn't supposed to exist. Maybe he was the only one. (2.3)
If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? If a boy is born at home and no one records it, does he really exist? Deep questions, Shmoopers.
Quote #2
His favorites were the handful of adventure books, the ones that let him pretend he was a knight fighting a dragon to rescue a kidnapped princess, or an explorer sailing on the high seas, holding tight to a mast while a hurricane raged about him.
He liked to forget he was Luke Garner, third child hidden in the attic. (7.8-9)
Playing make-believe is one thing—and a pretty normal childhood impulse—but it's quite another to focus all your games on pretending you're someone other than you are. This is a big clue that Luke isn't going to be happy living in an attic forever.
Quote #3
"I mean, you're another shadow child. Right?"
"Shadow--?" Luke wondered why his brain seemed to be slowing down. Was it just because she seemed several miles ahead of him?
"That's not the term you use?" she asked. "I thought 'shadow child' was universal. But, you know, an illegal, someone whose parents broke Population Law 3903. A third." (15.7-9)
No punches pulled here. Jen's proud of who she is and, as we'll soon find out, passionate in pursuing public recognition of her identity.