I was staring out the classroom window and daydreaming of adventure when I spotted the flying saucer.
-- Zach (chapter 1 paragraph 1)

Importance: This is the first line of the book and it’s from the perspective of Zach. It’s an important sentence because it does a few things. First, it alerts the reader immediately that flying saucers will play a huge role in this book, thus establishing the genre. Second, it characterizes the main character. Even though we do not yet know that the main character’s name is Zach, we know something important about him. He is the kind of person who daydreams about adventure.

Pamela Lightman (nee Crandall) was the coolest woman I’d ever met as well as the toughest.
-- Zach (chapter 4 paragraph 3)

Importance: Zach is introducing his mother to the reader in this sentence. Zach establishes his attitude towards his mother. He adores and respects her. The reader’s expectation of her is also...