I am very much interested in getting parents to read to children, and trying to get people mentoring children. If I can do both I'll be happy.

Books transmit values. They explore our common humanity. What is the message when some children are not represented in those books?

When I began to read, I began to exist

Cutting people out of your life is easy, keeping them in is hard.

We need to tell young people that America was built by men and women of all colors and that the future of this country is dependent on the participation of all of our citizens.

Reading is not optional.

I'll never live to write all the stories I have in my head.

We need to tell kids flat out: reading is not optional.

Think about all the tomorrows of your life.

We all know we should eat right and we should exercise, but reading is treated as if it's this wonderful adjunct.

It's a hard life sometimes and the biggest temptation is to let how hard it is be an excuse to weaken

Now, this was a combination that she wouldn’t dare to dream of, even in her worst nightmare.

My most important title is still “mom-in-chief.” My daughters are still the heart of my heart and the center of my world.

Every age needs men who will redeem the time by living with a vision of the things that are to be.

If you ask me, when something extraordinary shows up in your life in the middle of the night, you give it a name and make it the best home you can.

The wider our contemplation of creation, the grander is our conception of God.

Most writers write books that they wouldn't read. I ought to know; I've done it myself.

In a small cathedral town where changes are few, there are always people who remember who used to live in a particular house, what happened to them there and afterwards, and so on.

Nothing bad is going to happen to us. If we get fired, it's not failure; its a midlife vocational reassessment.

On being the guest of honor at an awards banquet: "Thank you for making this day necessary."