“Before I grad her book and mine, I go sit next to her on the organ bench and she gives me a big grandma hug - her special version, made from strong arms, old-fashioned perfume, and years of practice. The kind that makes you think you've won the best prize in the world. For love and safety, find your grandma. (76)”

“Without knowing what I'm doing, I'm on the floor in front of her chair, kneeling with my head in her lap, sobbing. She hugs me and strokes my head, and we both cry for a long time. (266)”

“He's not one for reading, which to me is like saying you're not one for breathing.”

“Those who laugh loud also cry hard. (153)”

“Judge people by how they stand there and do nothing when bad shit happens. (157)”

“Believe me, I know people who have doting Grandmas. Jessica's Grandma Pearl spent four years knitting her a blanket. Four years! And she's got arthritis. I wonder what Grandma Pearl would think if she knew Jessica lost her virginity to Michael Greenberg under the blanket she spent four years knitting with her crooked fingers.”

“Grandma, how old is she?""Oh I don't know." Grandma said. "You'd have to cut off her head and count the rings in her neck.”