How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"I believe so." It was a vague enough answer, devoid of any hard information, yet when Marigold heard it, her mother's heart had given a small leap of joy—perhaps Lonnie would be all right after all. Perhaps he was—as Marigold had been telling everyone for years—simply a slow developer, one of those people who matured late, who […] eventually found themselves and dazzled everyone. (3.5)
One thing that makes Lonnie's storyline especially powerful is that we get to see the way his mom reacts to his immaturity and difficulty making decisions. It's clear that she worries about him, but also that she worries about how others perceive him as well. As it turns out, there's no need to worry; with Clara's help, Lonnie comes of age and discovers who he's meant to be.
Quote #2
[Her father'd] kept on nagging and trying to boss her around. Clara didn't have to take it. She had her scholarship—she didn't have to live at home. She had left. There was nothing to it; you simply tossed your clothes in a bag and walked straight out the door. Easy. (4.12)
Maybe you're older and know the feeling of freedom that comes with moving out of your parents' house, or maybe you're still in high school and it seems like a long way away. Regardless, as Clara learns, leaving home, especially under her adverse conditions, isn't always so "easy." Part of coming of age is that although we may think we can make it all on our own, we eventually begin to miss the security of home.
Quote #3
Fall in love, thought Lily suddenly. Tracy and Lizzie and Lara were always in love with someone or about to be or falling out of love, hopeful and eager, then radiant and happy, then crying, then hopeful all over again. What could be less sensible than that? (6.22)
We here at Shmoop would argue that being a teenager girl has a ton of insensibilities, but in a way, they're rites of passage young women must go through to learn hard lessons about love and life. In Lily's case, it eventually leads her to the knowledge that love isn't always insensible. In fact, it ends up being just what she needs.