How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
His parents are extremely religious. It doesn't even matter which religion—they're all the same at a certain point, and few of them want a gay boy cruising around with his friends on a Saturday night. (1.1)
It seems like religion—pick one—is often used as an explanation and justification for homophobia. And yet religion is also used as an argument for tolerance and acceptance. What do you make of this?
Quote #2
A girl has appeared behind him. She is dressed in a lethal combination of pastels. She's young, but she looks like she could be a hostess on the Pillow and Sofa Network. (1.37)
Remember the visual anchors we talked about in the "In a Nutshell" section (if not, hop on over there and then hop right back)? Levithan's description of Claudia's outfit is a perfect example. When someone says "Pillow and Sofa Network," you (or at least we) immediately picture pink or green fabric with a cabbage rose print.
Quote #3
He told me about his school, which was not like my school, and his parents, who were not like my parents. (6.44)
We learn a lot about Tony's parents, but we never learn much about his school. Why do you think Levithan leaves that information out?
Quote #4
If my family were to move (honestly, I can't imagine it, but I'm stating it here for the sake of argument), I think it would take us about three years to unpack all our boxes. Noah's family, however, has put everything in its place. (8.8)
Moving a lot generates an impressive efficiency, but Noah's taken impressive to a whole 'nother level. (How did a whole 'nother get started as a turn of phrase, anyway? Who decided that was a good idea?)
Quote #5
Now, don't get me wrong—I like my family. While many of my friends' parents have been arguing, divorcing, and custody-sharing, my parents have been planning family vacations and setting the table for family dinners. (10.3)
Paul has an unusually peaceful relationship with his parents. There are really only two moments in the book when their behavior embarrasses him—when his dad corners Noah to show him the baby pictures, and when his mom makes him wear the reflective vest to go visit his boyfriend. (The horror)
Quote #6
Because I am my mother's son, I noticed right away that Noah's bottom front teeth overlap a little. Because I am not entirely my mother's son, I find this flaw to be beautiful. (10.20)
What do you think is more beautiful: a supermodel, or someone kind of dorky? (It's okay—no one else will see your answers. Probably.)
Quote #7
I know that other people's families are always more amusing than your own. But I'm not used to my family being the other person's family. (10.46)
You never know what other people are going to find amusing about your family. What if it's something you hadn't even thought of?
Quote #8
Now, if this were my sister talking, I would say something like, I want you to stop being such a glum diva. But Noah is clearly a better (or, at the very least, a more patient) person than I am, since he takes it all in stride. (10.115)
Challenge: call at least one person a glum diva today. Bonus points: let glum diva sneak into your vocabulary at every slightly relevant juncture.
Quote #9
He went back home and they promised to hold back their condemnation. Their prayers were quieter, but they still filled the air. Tony couldn't trust them any longer—not with the gay part of his life. (14.7)
Compartmentalizing works well sometimes, like when you have to study for a test, practice the cello, and resist the urge to have a text-a-thon with your posse. But having to compartmentalize who you are—the most fundamental parts of yourself—can result in a shattered or stunted identity.
Quote #10
I rock him a little and look up to see his mother in the doorway again. This time I can read her perfectly. She wants to be where I am, holding him. But I know she will not say the things I am willing to say. (24.76)
Sometimes when the family you're born with can't love you the way you need to be loved, the family you choose has to step in and make up the difference.