How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Leo was no help. He was too busy building a helicopter out of pipe cleaners.
"Check it out." He launched the copter. Jason figured it would plummet, but the pipe-cleaner blades actually spun. The little copter made it halfway across the canyon before it lost momentum and spiraled into the void.
"How'd you do that?" Jason asked (1.101-103)
Is it actually possible for someone to build a pipe cleaner helicopter that flies? We highly doubt it, which means Leo's technical skills just might be as magical as his fire powers. Either way, Leo's ability to build stuff functions not just as a skill, but as a kind of incomprehensible super-skill.
Quote #2
"People!" Drew screeched. "Don't be stupid! She's charmspeaking you."
"No," Piper said. "I'm just telling the truth."
At least, Piper thought that was the case. She didn't understand exactly how this charmspeaking business worked, but she didn't feel like she was putting any special power into her words. She didn't want to win an argument by tricking people. That would make her no better than Drew. (15.102-104)
Is Piper using charmspeak here? We never really find out, and even Piper doesn't know. It's also unclear whether she's using her power at other points. Is charmspeak a skill she can turn on or off? Or is it just part of who she is—naturally charming, if you will? And if it's part of who she is, is it wrong to use it? Piper's skill is the one that the book treats as most morally problematic, and also the one that seems most tied up with her self, none of which seems quite fair.
Quote #3
He imagined his mom's voice: Most problems look worse than they are, mijo. Nothing is unfixable. (23.10)
This is maybe not so true in real life, but the novel more or less functions this way. If you've got strength and skill, you can solve just about everything. That's how superhero stories work.