Seven schools in seven years and they’re all the same. Whenever I do my best, they tell me I don’t try hard enough. Too messy. Careless spelling. Annoyed that the same word is spelled different ways on the same page. And the headaches. I always get headaches from looking at the brightness of dark letters on white pages for too long.”
-- Ally (Narration) (1 (In Trouble Again) )

Importance: In this quote, protagonist and narrator Ally sums up her essential situation. Interesting to note how her core problem (an inability to read effectively, or well) is glanced at, or implied, at the end of the quote, with its first section primarily defined by commentary on symptoms.

'… I believe that the things we put numbers on are not necessarily the things that count the most. You can’t measure the stuff that makes us human.
-- Mr. Daniels (9 (Bag Full of Nothing) )

Importance: In this quote from inspiring teacher Mr. Daniels, the groundwork is...