When You Reach Me Identity Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

Mr. Tompkin had left a book on my desk. He was always trying to get me to read something new. This one had a picture of a spunky-looking girl on the cover, and some buildings behind her. I pushed the spunky girl aside, pulled my book out of my desk, and opened it randomly to see where I would land. (23.24)

Why does Miranda only want to read her book? Why does Mr. Tompkin want her to read other books?

Quote #8

"I just gave a sandwich to a homeless guy! You're the one who works for criminals and hangs around with pregnant jailbirds." (34.13)

Miranda and her mother fight when Miranda gives a sandwich to the Laughing Man. How is Miranda like her mother? How is she different?

Quote #9

Sometimes you never feel meaner than the moment you stop being mean. It's like how turning on a light makes you realize how dark the room had gotten. And the way you usually act, the things you would have normally done, are like these ghosts that everyone can see but pretends not to. It was like that when I asked Alice Evans to be my bathroom partner. I wasn't one of the girls who tortured her on purpose, but I had never lifted a finger to help her before, or even spent one minute being nice to her. (41.8)

Miranda takes a stand and decides who she wants to be: someone who cares for other people. Why does she do this?