But is it not heartening to know that, so many are willing to fight for the good? Think of that young librarian, Sophie, who made certain you escaped. Think of S.Q., who risked my brother’s wrath to make me more comfortable. Think of Captain Poland, and Joe Shooter, and all the others – even strangers – who were prepared to sacrifice their safety, perhaps even their lives, on our behalf. That’s something, is it not?

— Trenton Lee Stewart

But you have said it too often, Mr. Benedict!" said Mrs. Perusal in an imperious tone that was quite out of character. "And if you continue in this vein, I'm afraid we'll be compelled to cut our visit short. Surely there are other establishments that would host an entire group of guests - indefinitely and without reward - and not feel obliged to apologize for it!

— Trenton Lee Stewart

Children are capable of such open rudeness.

— Trenton Lee Stewart

Did the men steal the papers?" Range asked, fearing her response. No, because they are fools," Sophie said bitterly. "They demanded to see the papers, and when I did not answer fast enough -- they were very frightening, you see -- they hurt me so that I was not awake. . . . When I opened my eyes they were still trying to find the papers. They did not understand how we organize the library, you see. They were angry and creating a bad mess. . . . The police were coming, and the men decided they must leave. I shouted at them as they left: 'It is a free and public library! All you had to do was ask!

— Trenton Lee Stewart

Even if he did explain it, no one would believe him because no one would understand him. That's the downside to being a genius - just because you understand something doesn't mean anyone else will.

— Trenton Lee Stewart

In the candle's flickering light, the library's thousands of books emerged from the shadows, and for a moment Nicholas could not help admiring them again. During free time he had almost never looked up from the pages he was reading, but now he saw the books anew, from without rather than from within, and was reminded of how beautiful they were simply as objects. The geometrical wonder of them all, each book on its own and all the books together, row upon row, the infinite patterns and possibilities they presented. They were truly lovely.

— Trenton Lee Stewart

Is this what family is like: the feeling that everyone’s connected, that with one piece missing, the whole thing’s broken?

— Trenton Lee Stewart

It's not going to be over until we say so.

— Trenton Lee Stewart

I've only just arrived, Kate. It may surprise you to learn that you were my top priority.

— Trenton Lee Stewart

May your adventures bring you closer together, even as they take you far away from home.

— Trenton Lee Stewart