"When they got home Mama Jean had lectured him on how important reading and writing were. He hadn't answered, just listened. There was nothing to say; he knew she was right." Page 3

"Jimmy was already late for school. But he was trying to figure out a strategy." Page 12

"'I'm your father,' the man replied." Page 19

"He had often wondered what it would be like to have a father, like some kids." Page 39

"Jimmy tried to think what the men Crab was talking about looked like, but he couldn't think clearly. He kept asking himself why he was there." Page 51

"On the way out Jimmy thought about how Crab had put his arm around Frank. He did it like they had something they knew, like they were friends or something." Page 67

"Mama Jean had been all that he thought he needed. Companion and friend, mother and father." Page...