Quote 1
"Your uncle was taken away a month ago. You could go to the local soviet and inquire, but I don't think it would be wise." (3.26)
Alex endures some serious hardships to reach Moscow, but the rug is pulled out from under him as soon as he arrives. Now Alex realizes that his entire family is missing, leaving him completely alone in a completely unfamiliar city. Yikes.
Quote 2
"But I can't leave them," Alex said. "It was my idea to come here. I can't leave them now. They are my friends." And, yes, he thought, my family. (12.50)
In the end, Alex honors his family's memory by doing right by Peter and his friends. After all, each of these kids were torn from their families in the cruelest ways possible and set adrift on the mean streets of Moscow. With this in their past, it's only right that they've come together to create a new family.
Quote 3
"If I were head of a government," he said," I would not allow thousands of children to run around in rags and starve, having to steal and even kill to stay alive." (10.92)
It's not until the end of the novel that Alex realizes that the government could use its power for good, but chooses not to. So why don't they? We could come up with a million hypothetical reasons for this, but that's not the point: The point is that it's up to kids like Alex to change their country for the better.
Quote 4
"How long have you been walking?" he asked […]
The boy stared at Alex, regarding his heavy clothing and replying in a deep grunting croak. "Three, four months" (2.49-50)
Wow, that's a really long time. Alex meets a lot of new people while traveling to Moscow, and he comes to learn that his story isn't all that unique. In fact, there are tons of people who have had their lives shattered by the government and are now forced to pick up the pieces, just like him. Unfortunately, that's a lot easier said than done.
Quote 5
"But my father is very strict," Alex said. "I must always do as he says."
"Perhaps," Katriana replied. But do you always think as he thinks?" (1.48-49)
Thinking for yourself is an important part of growing up. While it's good to listen to what your parents say, you shouldn't take their word as gospel. Instead, you should think hard about the things they teach you and develop your own opinions and beliefs.
Quote 6
"Okay," he said. "You are right. We are free. But what can we do with our freedom?" (10.100)
Finally, Alex takes control of the group's destiny. They've done so much for him, sheltering him when no one else would, so the least he can do is give them a chance at a better future.