How we cite our quotes: (Part.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"I'm the grown-up, and you're the baby," she said finally, and left the kitchen. It was how a lot of our fights ended. Not this time. (2.31)
We know this is about the mole, but it seems like Tip's mom likes to play this card a lot. Maybe that's why Tip is so keen on proving herself as more than a baby.
Quote #2
You see, the problem is, you don't know you're in a story. You think you're just some kid. And you don't want to believe in the mole, or the ghost, or whatever it is when it's your turn. (2.46)
Even Tip has her doubts about what's happening to her and her mom at first. She plays it down by telling herself she's a kid and doesn't know any better, which is exactly what everyone around her says, too. That's how people understand youth most of the time.
Quote #3
And I wonder if you were a little proud. Proud to be living through something so important, something to tell your grandchildren. Did you watch yourself watching the television, making certain that you looked brave, and stoic, and just sad enough? (2.67)
Tip reluctantly admits that knowing you survived (and some adults didn't) makes her kind of proud. She feels a sense of accomplishment in knowing she's surviving an alien invasion, but is this proving that she is still a kid to think of it like this?
Quote #4
I'm not a big fan of the word "child." I don't know any kid who likes it. But somehow we all grow up to be adults who say it all the time. It's an insult when they use it to describe another adult, but they still turn around and use it to describe us. Like we're not going to notice. Mostly adults only talk about "children" when they're trying to make us seem precious and defenseless anyway. (3.306)
Tip flat out hates when people condescend to her by using the word child to describe her. She's already driving and surviving on her own, so she doesn't want to listen to what anybody else has to say.
Quote #5
I resented anyone suggesting we needed to be "checked up on." On the other hand, I noticed for the first time that it was getting dark, and that my throat was cracked from thirst. (3.377)
When Vicki checks up on them because they are kids, Tip gets ticked off. We can't help but notice the second half of what Tip says though. She isn't paying attention to what time it is or what she needs, so maybe she does need someone to check in on her (as much as she hates to admit it).
Quote #6
"Well, you are not going back there tomorrow. We cannot have two children spending time alone with a crazy man, and Trey never should have told you the way." (3.392)
Vicki says this to Tip and J.Lo, as though she is their mom. Notice how she puts the emphasis on the fact that they are children and nothing more—like as kids they don't know how to take care of themselves. Is she right?
Quote #7
"I think you kids don't understand what's happening," said Vicki. "We can't all go around doing our own thing and… and changing everything! Children do not drive cars. They do not visit old Indians in junkyards. How can things go back to normal when everyone keeps changing everything?" (3.407)
Part of Vicki's beef with J.Lo and Tip running off alone is that this kind of thing wouldn't have been allowed before the aliens arrived. She's worried about everything changing—including basic adult/kid hierarchy.
Quote #8
"Gratuity, you need to trust in your leaders. I know you kids might not think that's 'cool,' but the Gorg have a lot to offer us." (3.1369)
Even though Landry is convinced that he's right because he's an adult, it turns out that Tip knows what she's talking about. Oops.
Quote #9
"She was just a kid. Kids get upset. Now you've kidnapped her?"
So the Gorg admits they screwed up and got Mom instead, but they still want me 'cause I fit the description of a girl who stole something from them. (3.1445-1446)
The Gorg are angry at Landry for questioning their methods, and again he brings up Tip's youth, but this time as a positive. He points out that they can't hold kids responsible for the same stuff as adults, and tries to bargain for Tip's life with this tactic.
Quote #10
I saved the world. I saved the whole human race. For the rest of my life, even if I live to be a hundred and ten, I will never again do anything as fantastic and important as what I did when I was eleven. I could win an Oscar and fix the ozone layer. I could cure all known diseases and I'll still feel like my Uncle Roy, who used to be a star quarterback but now just sells hot tubs. I'm going to have to figure out how to live with this, and I sure don't need everyone I meet bringing it up all the time. (3.1576)
Tip to the rescue, yo. Say what you want about kids, but Tip saves the world in the novel, despite all the adults talking smack. It seems that you can be knowledgeable and independent and be a kid—you just have to be the right kid.