"I invented games like kick-boxing and kick-knees and kick-faces and kick-teachers and kick-the-other -little-day-care-critters, because I knew what a rotten lie that hug stuff was." (Chapter 1, p. 2)

"This time I don't say huh because then I might have to explain how I'm an L.D., and reading books is the last thing I want to do, right after trimming my toenails with a lawn mower, gargling nails, and eating worms for breakfast." (Chapter 4, p. 19)

"'He's not a poor boy,' I say. 'You should hear him talk. I think the rest of him is so small because his brain is so big.'" (Chapter 5, p. 24)

"Freak is making a fuss because he can't see. There are so many people crowded around, all he can see are feet and knees, and people are lifting their little kids up to see the fireworks explode like hot pink flowers in the...