How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"In our national pastime, each player is a member of a team, but when he comes to bat, he stands alone. One man. Many opportunities. For no matter how far behind, how late in the game, he, by himself, can make a difference. He can change what has been. He can make it a new ball game." (6.70)
Mrs. Rappaport loves mixing baseball with civics. She tells her students that even if everyone is part of one big team, each person still is his or her distinct self. This means that each player can hit the game-clinching home run, or each person in America can have an influence on the future of the country in which they live. That's a lot of opportunity.
Quote #2
"In the life of our nation, each man as a citizen of the United States has the right to pursue his own happiness. For no matter what his race, religion or creed, be he pauper or president, he has the right to speak his mind, to live as he wishes within the law, to elect our officials and stand for office, to excel. To make a difference. To change what has been. To make a better America."
"And so can you! And so must you!" (6.71-72)
Just as the Declaration of Independence says, everyone in America should be able to have life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. No matter who you are, everyone is supposed to be granted the same basic freedoms. But responsibilities come with these liberties, and in exchange, Mrs. Rappaport says you need to strive to make your America a better place. Help other people and do good things—that's the Mrs. Rappaport way.
Quote #3
Shirley felt as if the walls of the classroom had vanished. In their stead was a frontier of doors to which she held the keys.
This year, Jackie Robinson is at bat. He stands for himself, for Americans of every hue, for an America that honors fair play.
Jackie Robinson is the grandson of a slave, the son of a sharecropper, raised in poverty by a lone mother who took in ironing and washing. But a woman determined to achieve a better life for her son. And she did. For despite hostility and injustice, Jackie Robinson went to college, excelled in all sports, served his country in war. And now, Jackie Robinson is at bat in the big leagues. Jackie Robinson is making a difference. Jackie Robinson has changed what has been. And Jackie Robinson is making a better America. (6.74-76)
Shirley feels like she's got the whole world in her hands and has any opportunity open to her in America. Jackie Robinson represents all the good stuff she can do, everything that she can experience and give back to her new home. Besides, Jackie's success also means that people who are different—whether African-American, like Jackie, or Chinese, like Shirley—can achieve greatness and fight for what's good. Shirley is going to follow her idol and fight the good fight.
Quote #4
Suddenly Shirley understood why her father had brought her ten thousand miles to live amongst strangers. Here, she did not have to wait for gray hairs to be considered wise. Here, she could speak up, question even the conduct of the President. Here, Shirley Temple Wong was somebody. She felt was if she had the power of ten tigers, as if she had grown as tall as the Statue of Liberty. (6.78)
After Mrs. Rappaport's speech, Shirley finally gets why her dad was so eager to bring his family to America—all the difficulties she's gone through are worth it for the opportunities she can have. Although she's just a kid, Shirley has a place in society here in America, which makes her feel pretty spectacular.
Quote #5
Every time Number 42 came to bat, she imagined herself in Jackie Robinson's shoes. Every time the pigeon-toed runner got on base, she was ready to help him steal home. And when Jackie's sixteen-game hitting streak ended, Shirley blamed herself. On that day, she had had to accompany her parents to greet Mr. Lee from Chungking. Obviously, it was her absence from the radio that made all the difference. (7.11)
After learning all about Jackie, Shirley takes on a you-can-do-anything philosophy and uses it to urge him to victory. She cheers him on every chance she gets and imagines she's got the superpowers to make Mr. Robinson a champ. Shirley's got a new can-do attitude and wants to make her hero number one.
Quote #6
The problema was solved. It was amazingly simple. All that was left to be done was to convince Mother and Father. Was this not proof of yet another great opportunity in modern America? Surely they could not possibly think this was just Bandit's scheme to escape the tyranny of piano lessons for the joys of Jackie Robinson! (7.41)
Shirley sees America as the land of opportunities—including the chance to get rid of her piano teacher temporarily by sending her overseas and getting herself some more time to listen to Dodgers games. The freedom to manipulate parents is just one of the miracles of her new home. Hee hee.
Quote #7
When she opened them again, there stood a giant bed fit for an emperor. Shirley threw herself on the mattress and lolled about like a fish tossed back to the sea. "How did you do it, Father? How?"
But before he could say a word, she shouted, "I know. It's just another wonderful engine made in America. (8.21-22)
Here's another new thing Shirley loves about America: She's got a new sofa bed, something she didn't have at home in China. It's just another one of the new and luxurious treats she associates with America, including opportunities she hasn't had before.
Quote #8
It was many evenings and weekends before Shirley realized the treasure her father had mined from the basement. With his alchemy of ingenuity and patience, he transmuted the junk into valued presents for every tenant who lived at Number Four Willow Street. (8.43)
Shirley's dad is turning trash into treasures by digging up some old junk from the basement, restoring them to their former glory, and giving them to the tenants. Shirley sees the unlimited opportunities latent in such small little things and how they can help others. It's like the American Dream—unlimited chances hidden around every corner.
Quote #9
She began to see things she had failed to see before. Once again, her parents had slept through the alarm. But only now did she realize it was because of the long hours they worked. Worked to keep a promise she had made for them to the Señora. Worked to build a new life for them in America. Worked without complaint, always with cheer. (9.151)
The American Dream isn't without a price, though—you've got to work hard to play hard and enjoy all these great opportunities. Shirley's parents can be annoying, but they plug away at their jobs without complaining at all to give her a great life. As a result of their efforts, Shirley was able to move somewhere that offers her all sorts of great options.
Quote #10
But, Mr. Robinson, my brother who is not born yet, he can be President someday. He can! (12.65)
At the end of the book, Jackie Robinson offers Shirley the ultimate chance to change the world—she can be President of the United States. Shirley realizes that, as she wasn't born in the States, she can't technically be the head honcho, but she has so many opportunities still. Plus, her new sibling will have the ability to run for the office of President and all the great options Shirley's got now.