"An American Childhood" Quotes

You don't have to sit outside in the dark. If, however, you want to look at the stars, you will find that darkness is necessary. But the stars neither require nor demand it.

The sound of the ball against the bat was a good sound, wooden and direct.

I was an ardent reader. I read every book I could get my hands on.

I was a solitary, not a lonely child.

I was seized by the usual dreamy, self-indulgent state that overtakes you in the sunshine of a beautiful day.

The boat’s motion was so sudden that I was over the side before I realized it.

I was an American childhood, a local girl on a local block, going to local schools, and with a local accent.

I loved the dark. The dark was soft and thick and black and evergreen.

There was excitement in the house, and I realized that everything was going to change.

I walked out the back door and up the steps and climbed into the tree and got into my hammock.