How we cite our quotes: (Section.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Ms. Silver and the great nation of China might think that this is the Year of the Rabbit," said Papa. "But I know—and I know everything—that this is the year of Billy Miller." (1.1.37)
Papa knows that time matters. And in this book, it's all about years. Well, a single year, to be exact. Sure, the title is a dead giveaway that this book is going to be all about time, but Papa reminds us that it's how we define our time that makes it matter a whole lot more. So when he says this year is all about his son, the great Billy Miller, you can bet he's helping Billy to see time in a whole new light.
Quote #2
Things were changing. The light was different. The trees throughout the neighborhood were turning. Every day it seemed the leaves were more colorful, as if someone had taken a paintbrush to them during the night. There was a cool edge in the air and, lately, an edge to Papa, too. (2.1.1)
Time means change. Now it's later in the fall, and that means the weather sure is starting to become chilly. But it's not just the weather that changes over time in this book, it's the people, too. Did you notice how Billy compares the changing seasons to changes in his dad? And let's be honest, it doesn't sound like the best shift ever. In fact, it sounds to us like Papa is being a little colder and meaner, just like the outdoor weather. What do you think of this comparison? Are there other characters whose moods mimic the seasons?
Quote #3
He tapped the diorama and watched his bat jiggle. As the day had worn on, Billy had grown more fond of his project. The illusion that his bat was hovering in midair was what gave him a small thrill and a little shot of pride. When Billy stared at his trembling bat, all the imperfections disappeared. (2.3.1)
Time has some healing powers, which makes Billy pretty happy here. Billy wasn't feeling too hot about his diorama. Okay we'll level with you: he was way far super deep down in the dumps about it. But give the kid a day and he'll perk right back up. And that makes time Billy's best friend ever.
Quote #4
"Isn't the snow pretty?" asked Gabby. "It's so feathery. Like snow in a movie."
"It's furry," said Billy, staring out the window.
When he'd stepped out of the house, it was as if a curtain of peacefulness had fallen over the neighborhood. It was quiet. The air smelled wet and white. (3.1.25-27)
Winter is peaceful in Constant, Wisconsin, and things are looking pretty placid outside. Check out the adjectives used to describe this new season: "pretty," "feathery," "furry," "quiet," "wet," and "white." How do you think these descriptions work together? Do they paint a picture that is positive? Are there any downsides to this new season?
Quote #5
"Ms. Silver told us about the Year of the Dragon today. The Chinese New Year started on Monday. It's different than our New Year because theirs is lunar, which means the moon," Billy explained. (3.2.12)
When it comes to calendars, we've got a nice variety in this book. And Ms. S has taught Billy about a super cool calendar based on the Chinese New Year. One thing that makes this calendar extra special is that each year is identified with a different animal. What else does Billy learn about the Chinese calendar in this book? And how do you think this calendar helps Billy to think about time differently?
Quote #6
"Wait—you said one more hand."
"Okay," said Gabby. "A quick one."
During their final hand, Billy held back from playing certain cards when he could have won prolonging the game as long as possible. But soon Gabby was the winner and he was off to bed. (3.3.12-14)
Billy has a plan to stay up all night, so he tries to drag out his time with Gabby as much as he can. But this babysitter isn't about to fall for his sneaky tricks. Plus, this isn't the only place where Billy tries to become Master of Time. Can you think of other moments where Billy tries to control the way time passes? And does he ever succeed?
Quote #7
She reached greedily for the pearl. […]
"If you can stay up all night with me, it's yours," said Billy.
"Why?" asked Sal.
Billy explained the importance of his idea. He finished by reminding her, "We've never even made it to midnight on New Year's Eve." (3.4.8, 12-14)
Billy and Sal agree on one thing: Time is important. And when it comes to staying up until midnight, that's a milestone these siblings haven't hit yet. So Billy convinces his little sis that it's time for them to take matters into their own hands and pull an all-nighter. Sure, Sal needs some extra motivation with the pearl, but we can tell that Billy thinks staying up late is actually a really big deal.
Quote #8
The month of May had been so hot and dry, Billy wondered if the whole town would shrivel up. The blistering day he came home from school with his problem Sal was sitting in the shade on the front porch holding a bag of frozen blueberries against her skin to keep cool. Billy could tell that she'd also been eating the blueberries because her fingers and face were stained purple. (4.1.1)
All of a sudden that feathery snow we learned about earlier in the book is sounding pretty wonderful… but Sal and Billy are stuck finding creative ways to stay cool now that it's May. And for Sal that means eating frozen blueberries. The cool thing is that while this book tracks the passage of time, we also get to learn extra tidbits about our characters. And based on Sal's blueberry-stained skin, we know that she would rather stay cool in this heat than be a neat freak about her frozen fruit party.
Quote #9
"Okay," said Billy. His eyes shifted down to his volcano drawings. He wasn't fond of homework in general, but it seemed even worse now that it was so close to the end of the school year. His mind was already focusing on summer vacation. (4.2.33)
Timing is everything when it comes to homework, and according to Billy, summertime is just about the worst time in the history of time for homework to happen. So when Ms. Silver assigns him some poetry homework when summer is just a short while away, he's not in the right mindset at all. How else do you think the time of year impacts Billy's attitude toward school?
Quote #10
"Only six more days of school," Ned said gleefully.
"Six more days," said Billy.
"Six more days," Papa echoed, shaking his head. "Where did the year go?"
Billy and Ned swung their arms dramatically, lifted their knees high, and jutted their chins. They marched and chanted through the still, heavy air. "Six more days! Six more days!" (4.5.15-18)
By the time the school year is over, it seems to have just flown by. The funny thing is that at the beginning of second grade, the whole year ahead seemed pretty daunting. But before Billy knows it, there are only six days left of school. What do you figure the characters think about the way time has passed in this book? It sounds to us like Billy and Ned are seriously thrilled. But what about Papa? What does his tone sound like?