How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #1
I was six when my mother taught me the art of invisible strength. (1)
For a story about a strained relationship, things start out on a positive note. Mom tells Waverly how to be strong, a tool Waverly clearly uses in chess and in the rest of her life. We might see this opening as tempering the harsher stuff Waverly's mom puts her through later on, but it might also suggest that the conflict with Waverly's mom isn't as clear-cut as it seems—Waverly gains things from her mom's harsh ways, too.
Quote #2
My mother imparted her daily truths so she could help my older brothers and me rise above our circumstances. (3)
Again Tan muddies the waters early on when it comes to Mom, setting us up to understand that she's trying to help her kids. By putting this at the beginning—before Mom really starts getting under everyone's skin—we are able to trust that Waverly's mother has good intentions.
Quote #3
My family called me Meimei, "Little Sister." (9)
Waverly's nickname has a specific family meaning, connecting her to her brothers and parents. This is important because it binds her identity to her family—and it's only more important since her official name is Waverly Place, a.k.a. the street they live on. Both on official documents and in family conversation, then, Waverly's identity is constantly bound to her family and their home.