How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Taking shelter in the near silence, Mik looked back at the papergirl. She was waving. No, she was signing, HELLO, GOOD-BYE, I LOVE YOU. (6.59)
Of all the sayings that Fatima could learn in sign language, this is the one that she knows. It's also the phrase that she writes to her sister in her letter. This is meaningful because it shows us how close she is to her sister, as well as how close Mik becomes to her, too.
Quote #5
Mik nodded. She wanted to ask the girl how she knew sign, but that would require a whachamacallit, conversation. "Nice day," she said and signed as she hurried away. (9.20)
The fact that Fatima uses sign language to communicate with Fatima is special to Mik. People don't know Mik's language, and it's Fatima's knowledge of sign language that draws Mik to her in the first place.
Quote #6
"Bombs deafened some of the children back home," Fatima said as she and Mik walked the back way along the tracks. "My sister and I watched the woman from the UN teach them sign, but only for one day before a raid split the camps. Perhaps someday when the fighting ends I will return home. For now I am so lucky to live in these beautiful United States." (9.37)
As Mik learns about Fatima's future, it comes as no surprise that it's tied up in language. Fatima yearns to know more about people and doesn't rely on her own language to get her through.