How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
I wish somebody would ask me over sometime. (15.4)
Leigh really wants a friend. One of the downsides of moving is being the new kid, which is what happens to him in sixth grade. On the outside, he's kind of a loner and quiet, but inside he just wants to be noticed and have friends.
Quote #2
I am bothered when my Dad telephones me and finishes by saying, "Well, keep your nose clean, kid." Why can't he say he misses me, and why can't he call me Leigh? I am bothered when he doesn't phone at all which is most of the time. (16.5)
Leigh wants a close relationship with his dad. We're not talking physically close (though Leigh really wants to see him, too), but emotionally close. By calling Leigh "kid," his dad is creating distance between them. Leigh wants to be special to him, not just "kid," which he could call anybody.
Quote #3
I had to laugh at that, but I still wanted my cheesecake. (27.3)
Keeping his lunch safe is a major wish of Leigh's throughout the story, not just because he's hungry but because the thief takes the good stuff. This leads to anger, thoughts of revenge, and making a creative lunchbox alarm that gets a lot of attention at school. But it all starts with a desire.
Quote #4
I wish someday he would have to drive a load of something to Wyoming and would take me along so I could get to meet you. (31.3)
Which is the stronger wish here—meeting Mr. Henshaw or driving with Dad? We don't know about you, but by the end of the book, we were dying to meet Mr. Henshaw.
Quote #5
I wish I had a grandfather like Mr. Fridley. He is so nice, sort of baggy and comfortable. (32.6)
With Dad on the road so much and little hope of seeing him now that his parents are divorced, Leigh really wants family. Mr. Fridley is a father figure in Leigh's life, a nice guy who gives advice and steers Leigh in good directions.
Quote #6
"Your dad has many good qualities. We just married too young, and he loves the excitement of life on the road, and I don't." (39.14)
We all have desires and things we're passionate about that make us who we are. Leigh's mom and dad are two good people who want very different things, and that's what eventually pulls them apart.
Quote #7
"That's his way of trying to say he really is sorry about Bandit. He's just not very good at expressing feelings." (43.4)
It's a good thing Mom can interpret what Dad's saying or Leigh wouldn't know it. Dad wants to communicate with his son; he's just not very good at it.
Quote #8
"Have you found another dog to take Bandit's place?" I think what I really meant was, Have you found another boy to take my place? (52.5)
A lot of times we think of desires as positive things—you want an Xbox One or tickets to a concert or quality time with a friend. But sometimes desires are to avoid negative things; you don't want to get hurt, or you don't want to feel left out. Leigh doesn't want to be forgotten or replaced.
Quote #9
I really would like to meet a Famous Author. (54.1)
After going through several story ideas and scrapping them all, Leigh's got 24 hours to come up with something. It's the desire to meet an author that gives him the motivation he needs to press through and finish.
Quote #10
Finally Dad said, "I miss you, Bonnie. [...] Is there any chance—"
"No," said Mom in a sad, soft voice. "There isn't a chance. [...] Too many broken promises." (60.26, 33-34, 36)
If this were a movie, the music would be softly swelling and someone would be almost crying. Seems like Dad has finally figured out what he wants; he misses Mom and wants to come home. Mom, however, has also figured out what she wants, and it's not Dad. Not anymore. This is a great example of desires conflicting when the timing is wrong.