How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Her parents were leaving on a seventeen-day Scandinavian cruise with all the aunts and uncles on her mother's side. (1.11)
The reason for Kendra and Seth's journey to Fablehaven in the first place is family-based. Their mom's side of the family has to go on a trip that was mandated in their grandparents' will. It's kind of morbid, but hey—whatever works.
Quote #2
Everyone was surprised when Grandpa Sorenson showed up at the funeral. It had been more than eighteen months since either of the Sorensons had visited. He had apologized that his wife could not attend because she was feeling ill. There always seemed to be an excuse. Sometimes Kendra wondered if they were secretly divorced. (1.29)
The Sorenson grandparents are pretty distant, which is part of why Kendra dreads having to go stay with them—it must be weird to know that you're related to somebody, but not have any real idea of who they actually are. Plus we see here that Kendra is perceptive, since she wonders if maybe there's a reason why she doesn't see much of her grandparents, and then rarely together. It seems like this kind of thing happens in a lot of families, and kids are able to figure out that something is up.
Quote #3
"Stan, I don't want to go on this cruise. It was important to my parents, so we're going. I don't mean to twist your arm." Mom sounded on the verge of tears. (1.41)
Here we see how Kendra's mom is not actually that thrilled about going on the cruise that was part of her parents' will. Kendra's sure not thrilled about it, nor is Grandpa—it seems like nobody in the family is happy about the way things are going down… so at least they all have that in common?
Quote #4
"They go the extra mile to discourage visitors," Dad said. "Me, Uncle Carl, Aunt Sophie—none of us have ever spent much time here. I don't get it. You kids are lucky." (1.65)
Yeah, this is definitely making our weird-family-issues sense tingle. Why would the grandparents not want their own kids visiting them? And then why would it be okay for the grandkids to come and stay? Something is afoot here for sure.
Quote #5
Unlike her little brother, Kendra was not a natural rule breaker. (4.55)
Clearly genes don't determine everything, since Kendra and Seth are pretty much opposites, at least when it comes to rules. Seth is adventurous to the point of being foolish, and he also doesn't tend to do well with orders and rules—while Kendra, on the other hand, gets good grades and always follows the rules. Both kids seem to be stubborn, though, so it's not like we're not saying one of them was secretly adopted.
Quote #6
"That is my right. I am your grandfather. And this is my property."
"I am your grandson. You should tell me the truth. You're not setting a very good example." (4.140-141)
Here Grandpa and Seth duke it out over whether Grandpa should punish the kids for breaking his rules about not going into the forest. Grandpa plays the whole I'm your elder relative, you should do what I say card, while Seth counters with a since you're older, you should be setting a good example by not lying or concealing the truth card. An interesting play on both parts.
Quote #7
There was definitely some mystery surrounding the milk. But all the talk about bacteria made her reluctant to try it. She needed a guinea pig. (5.67)
Kendra pulls a typical big-sister move here when she realizes that she needs a test subject for something potentially dangerous or icky… and thinks of her younger brother. Hey, that's what younger siblings are for, right?
Quote #8
"Unbeknownst to most of the family," Grandpa said, "a few of your cousins have visited me here. None of them came close to figuring out what is really going on." (7.145)
Ah-ha—so Kendra and Seth aren't the only relatives in living memory to be invited to Fablehaven; they're just the first ones to figure out what's actually happening there. Maybe curiosity isn't passed on genetically. Try telling that to cats.
Quote #9
"You should know," he went on, "I didn't let you come here merely as a favor to your parents. Your grandmother and I are getting on in years. The day will come when somebody else will need to care for this preserve. We need to find heirs." (10.30)
Turns out Grandpa is interested in Kendra and Seth as potential heirs to Fablehaven. It's not stated explicitly, but we're guessing that the caretakers prefer to keep it in the family if at all possible.
Quote #10
For the first time, the fact that Seth was going to die fully entered her mind. She thought of moments with him, both endearing and annoying, and realized that there would be no more of either. (17.81)
Kendra's love for her brother is a big deal. It's part of what gives her the courage to set foot on the Fairy Queen's island shrine, and also beg for help in order to save her family (which includes Grandpa and Grandma as well as Seth, but let's be honest, she doesn't know them as well as she knows Seth). So in the end, family is a pretty big deal is moving the plot along here in Fablehaven.