How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
I've been drawing since I can't remember when. Not that anyone here knows that, except Tanisha, and she found out by accident when she came to my house to study once and saw a couple of drawings hanging in my room. Mom loves my watercolors and she hung one in the living room, but it isn't signed. Nobody ever mentions it, especially not my father. He's not too wild about my art. Mostly, he's disappointed, first off that I wasn't born a boy, and second that I won't play ball like one. I'm six feet tall, almost as tall as he, and he figures the height is wasted on me since I don't share his dreams of me going to the WNBA. I keep telling him not to hold his breath. (11.3)
Ah yes, when dreams collide things can get tricky. Diondra wants to be an artist, but her father thinks she might make a good basketball player. Too bad she's awful at basketball and awesome at art. Which dream will she follow?
Quote #5
She tells me to ignore my stepfather, says I've got a lot to work with, that I can make myself over with hair and makeup. When I'm older. For now, I can barely get out of the house with lipstick. Meanwhile, I sit at my sewing machine and dream about the great transformation I'm going to make someday. As if I could use pinking shears to cut out a new face for myself. (29.11)
Judianne's hopes and dreams for being prettier might be a little bit superficial, but they're based in a real crisis. She wants to get out of an abusive household and make something of herself. We suspect we might be seeing her name on a clothing line sometime soon.
Quote #6
A still, small voice reminded me to return good for evil, reminded me that my plans for the future do not include fisticuffs or expulsion. I am college-bound and nothing is going to keep me from it. (44.10)
Sterling is not about to miss out on his dreams because of one minor mistake—getting in fights isn't an option for someone who has such a bright future. This comment also highlights how fragile the safety net beneath Mr. Ward's kids is. One minor scuffle could mean the difference between college admission and a pile of rejection letters.