How we cite our quotes: (Section.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
"Look what I can do."
Sal bent over and grabbed a book from a stack on the porch. "I can read Mama's favorite book," she said. She held up a worn paperback copy of Pride and Prejudice.
"You can't read that book," said Billy. The book was definitely for adults.
"Yes, I can," said Sal. "Watch. I know the words a and I." (1.4.18-21)
Sal is a three-year-old going on thirty, and it sounds like she just wants to shoot into adulthood and never look back. So when she learns how to find the words "a" and "I," this little lady feels like she's already hopped on the growing up bandwagon. And she's loving the ride.
Quote #5
"Thank you, Papa!" yelled Billy.
When he turned back to run into school, Emma was right there, like a shadow. "Papa?" she said.
Billy blushed.
"Papa?" she repeated. She rolled her eyes dramatically. "That is so babyish, I can hardly believe it." (2.3.75-78)
Remember how Billy thinks that Emma acts like an adult? Well Emma thinks just the opposite of Billy. And she's got a word to describe our head honcho: "babyish." Yep, it's the same word that Billy thought earlier, and now Emma is flinging it in his face—and it stings. So now Billy is stuck looking like a little kid in front of the class bully, which isn't any fun. But if you ask us, Emma is also acting a bit immature. How do you think Emma is defining "babyish" here? And is she acting "babyish" in any ways herself?
Quote #6
When Mama had come home from work, Billy and Papa had told her that Billy wanted to call her Mom from now on.
"Really?" she'd said, a trace of sadness in her voice. "Really, truly?"
Billy and Papa nodded at the same time.
"I'm Dad," said Papa.
Mama put her bag of school things on the floor, sat on a kitchen chair, and pulled Billy to her. She hugged him, and in the most natural way said, "I guess you're growing up."
"Yup," he said, squirming away from the hug. (2.5.2-7)
Mama knows that new names mean that her son is becoming an older kid right before her eyes. Sometimes this makes parents happy, and other times it's a super scary thought. How do you think Mama reacts? The narrator tells us that there's some "sadness in her voice," so we know she's not super thrilled. Do you think she's just sad or is she also happy? Maybe nostalgic? Are there any other emotions wrapped up in her tone?