Sir, democracy is the government of the people, for the people, and for...and by the people,' I say."
-- Ya Ta ("Koboko")

Importance: This quote establishes not only Ya Ta's own intelligence but also one of the book's central themes: democracy. The discussion of democracy so early in the book prepares the reader to understand that Boko Haram is, ultimately, the opposite of democracy: an authoritarian state that controls and wields power through brutalizing tactics.

Unlike many other girls in our village whose parents do not think that sending a girl to school is important since she will end up getting married and taking all her father's years of investment to another man's house, Papa wants me educated."
-- Ya Ta ("Thank God" )

Importance: This quote serves three functions. First, it communicates to the reader the norms and standards of Ya Ta's village. Typically girls are not educated. Second, it tells the reader that not all parents, such as...