How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Adults, Sophie had decided a long time before, were really bad at making up excuses. (4.8)
Adults! Aren't they the worst? Just kidding. But still, this "us" versus "them" battle between kids and adults is a common theme in a lot of young adult literature, and you can't really blame Sophie for her distrust. Her parents aren't around to support her in her all too important teen years.
Quote #2
"There is something else, though, isn't there?" Sophie asked quickly. "Something more." She knew he was holding something back; adults always did. Their parents had taken months to tell Josh and her that they would be spending the summer in San Francisco. (4.46)
This is a sad glimpse into the family life of Sophie and Josh. Their parents don't seem to care whether or not the kids are in the loop, and unfortunately that leaves Sophie and Josh to make their own decisions, without much guidance on the home front. We wonder what their parents might say now that their two kids are off risking their lives to save the world. Would they be proud? Worried? Or just plain indifferent?
Quote #3
He was a normal high school sophomore, not too brilliant, but not stupid either. He played football, sang—badly—in his friend's band, had a few girls he was interested in, but no real girlfriend yet. He played the occasional computer game, preferred first-person shooters like Quake and Doom and Unreal Tournament, couldn't handle the driving games and got lost in Myst. […] He even liked the new Superman, despite what other people said. Josh was ordinary. (5.13)
Magical twins of prophecy—they're just like us! What really stands out to Shmoop in this passage is how young Josh seems. He's up for simple pleasures like football and video games. He hardly seems ready to fight evil with magical powers.