How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Too many kids in this family, that's what. Just too many." James stood fuming on the landing like a small angry locomotive […] "You'd think this house was big enough, but there's always people." (1.3)
The opening of the book tells us just how jam-packed the Stanton household is. Will's brother James tells us that there are too many people everywhere he looks. With six siblings, two parents, and a bunch of livestock, we can see what he means. But it's also just in jest—this family loves each other at the end of the day.
Quote #2
It was the day when the delight of Christmas really took fire in the Stanton family. Hints and glimmerings and promises of special things, which had flashed in and out of life for weeks before, now suddenly blossomed into a constant glad expectancy. The house was full of wonderful baking smells from the kitchen. (5.1)
Christmas Eve is full of traditions for the Stantons. They love Christmas Eve and they spend it singing carols and eating sweets. It's important for us to see Will at home living a normal life so we can compare it to the wacky and magical world of the Old Ones.
Quote #3
"That was Tom," his mother said. "I don't really know why I've never spoken to you younger ones about Tom. It was just so long ago... Tom was your little brother who died. He had something wrong with his lungs, a disease some new babies get, and he only lived for three days after he was born." (5.48)
Will's mom tells him about a brother of his named Tom who died. Farmer Dawson had already made him a Christmas ornament, though, and they never got rid of it. This sad tale makes Will feel closer to his family and want to protect his mom from any more heartache.
Quote #4
For this was Christmas, which had always been a time of magic, to him and to all the world. This was a brightness, a shining festival, and while its enchantment was on the world the charmed circle of his family and home would be protected against any invasion from outside. (7.126)
Thinking about keeping loved ones safe, Will hopes he's able to shield his family from the Dark. He can't, of course, which is super clear when their impromptu Christmas guest drops by. Dun dun dun…
Quote #5
And the old man just looked at me again with very dark, deep eyes that seemed to be looking through me into the day after tomorrow, and he said, "I would know you anywhere. You are Will Stanton's brother. There is a look that we old ones have. Our families have something of it too." (8.12)
In Stephen's letter, Will's brother tells him what the Old One said. It turns out all Old Ones' family members have a certain look about them, which is one way that the Dark know who they are, which can be dangerous. It's also a cool way for the Old Ones to identify each other in a new place.
Quote #6
"How dare you! At Christmas, on Christmas morning! Get out!" It was the first time in his life he had ever felt such rage, and it was not pleasant, but he was outraged that the Dark should have dared to interrupt this his most precious family ritual. (8.64)
When the Rider (a.k.a. Mr. Mitothin) shows up at Will's house, he's outraged. This day is supposed to be special and untouchable, but evidently nothing keeps the Dark away. If they don't break for Christmas, they probably don't break for anything—and that's pretty scary.
Quote #7
"It's possible," said the answering voice in his mind. "They cannot harm you, true, and they cannot destroy men. But they can encourage men's own instincts to do them harm. Or bring an unexpected clap of thunder, when someone is standing at the top of a flight of stairs…" (10.71)
When Will learns of his mom's "accident" falling down the stairs, he's afraid that it was no accident; he thinks the Dark are going after his family, one by one. We never get confirmation of this, but Merriman tells him that it's certainly plausible. Eek.
Quote #8
But as the Old One in him took control, calming the fear, he cut off the shout. This was not a matter for ordinary human beings, even of his own family; he should be glad to be alone. He knew now that Mary must be caught, somewhere, held by the Dark. Only he had any chance of getting her back. (11.44)
It's not long before the Rider goes directly after Will's family by kidnapping his sister, Mary. Will worries about what will happen to Mary and takes the bait, just like the Rider wants him to. Merriman suggests not trading the Sign for Mary's life, but Will doesn't even hesitate.
Quote #9
He thought: these are my people. This is my family, in the same way as my real family. The Old Ones. Every one of us is linked, for the greatest purpose in the world. (13.33)
In the end Will figures out he has two families. There's the family he was born with and the Old Ones who have become like a family to him during his quest. Yay for two families.
Quote #10
"Twelfth Night," Will said. "Is that tonight?" He looked up at the grey early-morning sky. "Merriman, how have you stopped my family wondering where I've been? Is my mother truly all right?" (13.57)
It turns out that Will's still worried about his family once the mission is over, concerned that they've been hurt by the Dark or something's happened to them while he's been out seeking the Signs. Luckily, though, they are all fine when he gets home. Phew.