"In the first place if anyone from the school board should come, maybe he could see all the things we need - current books for all of our subjects, not just somebody's old throwaways, desks, paper, blackboards, erasers, maps, chalk. . ." Mama's voice trailed off as she glued the second book. Chapter 1, 30.

"We were not very fond of the skins, for once they were wet they emitted a musty odor which seeped into our clothing and clung to our skins. We preferred to do without them; unfortunately, Mama cared very little about what we preferred." Chapter 3, p. 43.

It was as if the bus were a living thing, plaguing and defeating us at every turn. We could not outwit it. Chapter 3, p.46.

"I don't rightly know," said Mr. Avery, "But y'all knows how they is. Anytime they thinks we stepping' outta our place, they feels like they gotta stop us...