Ms. Rochambeau will be as surprised as anyone else when I stand up for the debate and use a word like chromatophore.
-- Zoey (Chapter 1)

Importance: Although Zoey never has time for homework, she attempts to fill out her debate packet because she wants to participate. This quote is important because it demonstrates Zoey's desire to use her knowledge of octopuses to impress her teacher and classmates.

The problem is that real life isn’t like a story—I’m not in charge, and it’s usually the good guys who get chomped. But if I were an octopus, those icicles wouldn’t get me. I would squish my body into a ball and jet away—fully camouflaged, of course."
-- Zoey (Chapter 2)

Importance: Zoey loves telling her siblings stories at night because she gets to be in control of them. This quote is important because it demonstrates Zoey's creativity and her desire to escape the dire circumstances...