It's freaky to be in a place where everyone looks like me. Laguna is 99 percent white, but I am used to seeing other Vietnamese – we eat in Little Saigon all the time. Here though, it's a hundred times more intense.”
-- Mai (2 )

Importance: Mai has just arrived at the airport in Vietnam, and this is her reaction to being in the midst of so many Vietnamese people.

Now before I let you go, your SAT word for the day is one my favorites. Ephemeral, e-p-h-e ...”
-- Renee (4 )

Importance: This is one example of Renee's determination to increase Mai's vocabulary in preparation for furthering her education. In this case, Mai hangs up in the middle of the spelling, which is one of several indications of Mai's rebellion.

She leans over and tries to pat Ut on the head. Ut backs away.”
-- Mai (5 )

Importance: Mai has just begun to meet the “maybe-relatives” in Ba's home village when she observes this...