“[I]t's not just the books under fire now that worry me. It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And all due to the fear of censorship. As always, young readers will be the real losers.”

“Censors never go after books unless kids already like them. I don’t even think they know to go after books until they know that children are interested in reading this book, therefore there must be something in it that’s wrong.”

“The best books come from someplace deep inside.... Become emotionally involved. If you don't care about your characters, your readers won't either.”

“Let children read whatever they want and then talk about it with them. If parents and kids can talk together, we won't have as much censorship because we won't have as much fear.”

“Something will be offensive to someone in every book, so you've got to fight it.”

“It's strange, but when it comes right down to it I never do fall apart--even when I'm sure I will.”

“Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret. I just told my mother I want a bra. Please help me grow God. You know where.”