My people believe that our land is not given to us by our ancestors. It is loaned to us by our children.
-- An Abenake Chief (One)

Importance: These words were spoken in an assembly to Tyler’s class some time before the novel started. Tyler considers this as his parents are considering selling the farm. He believes his mother cannot understand why the farm is so important because she was raised in a city. He thinks the farm belongs to everyone in the family. The significance of ties between generations is a key theme in the novel, and these words explain that people have obligations towards future generations just like they do to past ones.

She explained that an alien is a creature from outer space who does not even belong on this earth! So, where am I supposed to go?
-- Mari (One)

Importance: Some kids at school call Mari an illegal alien, and this is what the...