"In a civil war, there are no good guys. They're all guilty of something. You are probably not saving the innocent, because in a civil war, nobody is innocent" (p. 11).

"The distance between African and New York City was not just miles. This would be a new world for the Amabos in every way; it was natural for them to be afraid" (p. 15).

"In a civil war, people forget that they are people. Next they forget anyone else is a person. They forget how to be kind" (p. 32).

"Trust broken is worse than money taken" (p. 85).

"Tests are for school. I can't test Andre and Celestine, and I can't test Alake either. Home is where nobody tests you" (p. 117).

"It was a mystery. But in some ways, all families were mysteries. Maybe even all people" (p. 122).

"She wanted not to be evil. She had been twelve years old...