How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Mr. Ward brought the paper to school and held it up for the class to see. "Look at this headline," he said. "'Student Poets Bloom in the Bronx.' That's you guys!"
I don't know who was prouder, us or Mr. Ward.
He brought a few extra copies of the paper for the class, and passed them around for anyone who hadn't seen it. I'd already bought my own, though. I had to, 'specially since they quoted what I said about how our poetry gives us a release, how it helps us relate to one another. They said our stuff was "energetic" and "rich in positive social messages." My moms will frame this puppy, for sure.
I called the reporter this afternoon and thanked him for writing such a nice piece. I told him about our assembly. "We'll be jamming," I told him. "Why don't you come check us out?" He said he'd try to make it. (68.2-5)
The Tyrone in the beginning of this story doesn't even like school, and he definitely wouldn't call up a white reporter to thank him. But Tyrone is learning that he can't act like a kid forever—a mature person gets things done.
Quote #8
I'm sorry he feels so bad, but there's nothing I can do about it. I've made up my mind. If I can get into an art school, I'm going. Mr. Ward thinks I have a good chance of getting a scholarship. We'll see. Mom says my dad will come around. Eventually. I'm not so sure. Before I left home today, I slipped a poem and a drawing of Michael Jordan in my father's easy chair, under the remote. That way, he wouldn't miss them. I was planning to give him the drawing for his birthday, but after seeing those brochures, he looked like he needed a transfusion, so why wait? Maybe a drawing of his hero will make him feel better. Besides, doing basketball portraits is the closest I'll ever get to my father's dreams for me, so I might as well let him enjoy one now.
I hope Mom's right, though. I hope he does come around. I'm just not holding my breath. (72.2-3)
Diondra has always tried to suppress her artistic talent for her father's sake, but those days are over. She knows she has a future and she's not going to let him steer her off her path. Even if it means making her dad mad, she's determined to follow her dreams. Now that's some grown-up stuff right there.
Quote #9
So I find ways to keep her in check. When anger rips a hole in me now, I punch a wall, or run 'til the wind cuts my breath off. Once, I sat on a curb running a piece of broken bottle across my fingertips. Lucky for me the shard had a dull edge that left a jigsaw of scratches on me, but not a whole lot of blood. I know it was a stupid thing to do, but anything's better than allowing those fingers to hurt somebody else. I couldn't live with that. Not again. Not ever.
No, these kids have nothing to fear from me. They just don't know it. (75.10-11)
Porscha let loose and beat up a bully once, but she'll never do it again. She knows she could really hurt someone and she doesn't want to deal with the negative consequences. Fighting once was a lesson for a kid to learn; controlling her anger puts Porscha on the path to becoming a grown woman.