Margaret Peterson Haddix Quotes & Sayings

And Nedley started saying,'Shut Up!Quit that! And i knew it really meant something to him. So I asked for his help,"Mark said. "Don't tell the story like that," Nedley laughed. "What he said was 'Quit pretendin you're a bad guy I need your help, and I need it now! — Margaret Peterson Haddix

The truth is, time travel is hard, and people are lazy. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

And yet, I felt a surge of exhilaration just thinking about that night. Not just because I'd met the prince and fallen in love and started on my course toward happiness ever after, but because I'd made something happen. I'd done something everybody had told me I couldn't. I'd changed my life all by myself. Having a fairy godmother would have ruined everything. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Ah, but is any history really all that ancient?' Second asked. 'Doesn't every moment from the past affect the present?'
This man was more annoying than any history teacher Jordan had ever had. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Does FBI mean Federal Bureau of Idiots? — Margaret Peterson Haddix

It just happened, — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Luke pictured himself — Margaret Peterson Haddix

We'll have a 'rest of our lives' now, — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I can't go back to being who I used to be!'
Hadley looked down at him sympathetically.
'None of us can, kid.' he said. 'That's the point. You get what you get. Life changes you. Time travel or no, you always have to build on what you live through. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Governments will rise, and governments will fall, and man will do evil to man, and all we can do is turn our hearts to good. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Maybe everyone is just waiting for someone else to save them. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

The story begins like so much else,' she says slowly, 'With hope. Hope and dreams and daring ... — Margaret Peterson Haddix

That porch is a happy-looking place, and my father - burdened, stoop-shouldered, cadaverously thin - doesn't seem to belong on it. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Saw the first tree shudder and fall, far off in the distance. Then he heard his mother call out the kitchen window: Luke! Inside. Now. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

adulation." I stare at the — Margaret Peterson Haddix

But it'd be nice to have someone who cared about me, someone I could talk to
about anything, someone who'd tell me I was really special. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Even the most independent people sometimes needed help. And if I'd learned nothing else from my life thus far, it was that you don't always end up where you think you're going. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Thanks a lot! She went and hid somewhere else, somewhere safe- and left me to deal with Mr. Pyromaniac 1483! — Margaret Peterson Haddix

There was a law against Luke. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I like to know what I'm celebrating before I put on a party hat. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

The first tree shudder and fall, far off in the distance. Then he heard his mother call out the kitchen window: "Luke! Inside. Now." He had never disobeyed the order to hide. Even as a toddler, barely able to walk in the backyard's tall grass, he had somehow understood the fear in his mother's voice. But on this day, the day they began taking the woods away, he hesitated. He took one extra breath of the fresh air, scented with clover and honeysuckle and - coming from far away - — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I start to think, 'It's awful being too poor to even buy my own dress for homecoming.' But that's instantly swept away by another thought: 'I'm so lucky that someone cates enough to loan me a dress. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

It does not take a long time to fall to the ground, even from nine stories up. But it took a lifetime for Yetta. It took every single one of the last moments of her life. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Why did everyone like that story so much when it wasn't true? Why was everyone so eager to believe it? Was it because, in real life, ever after's generally stink? — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Unlike my mother, my father does not cry quietly. His wails roll out like a wave of pain, and I scramble to roll up my window. My mother cannot hear that. I cannot bear to hear it myself. I am not used to my father's crying. I've had no time to harden my heart against him. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I was there laughing and joking with everyone else, but it's like there was some part of me
standing back, watching, thinking, Is this as good as it gets? — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I wished I'd known weeks ago that we didn't have to be chaperoned. I remembered my old daydreams: the prince and I, alone together, cuddling and whispering ... I probably would have wised up and brocken the engagement sooner. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

It's people like you who change history. People like me
we just let things happen to us. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Knowledge isn't evil, in and of itself. It's what people choose to do with their knowledge that makes the difference. I think it matters what you want knowledge for. And what you're willing to sacrifice to get it. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

He reaches over a goat that's come between us and grabs my hand.
"Don't let go!" he orders. Harper's hand is dry and soothing, while mine is sweaty with fear. We've never held hands before. I think about what it means in the village when boys and girls only a few years older then Harper and me wander around with their hands clasped together. They're always peering dreamily into each other's eyes, sneaking sky kisses ... and soon after, there's a wedding. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

bitter is a bad way to live! — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Angles from their former lofty positions in the sky. Their absence made everything look different, like a fresh haircut exposing a band of untanned skin on a forehead. Even from deep inside the kitchen, Luke could tell the trees were missing because everything was brighter, more open. Scarier. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

He looked at the piles of food again, and it was like he was seeing it with new eyes. "This is wrong", he thought, "Letting food rot while people die of hunger. It's evil." ...
He breathed in the too-sweet smell of rotting food, "I can stop this evil. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Oh, Myr," he chokes out. "I hate having to ask this of you ... "
He glances towards the car again, and I crouch down in the shadows, hoping it's too dark for him to see whether the window is open or closed. The woman pats his arm, cradling her hand against his elbow.
"You know I'd do anything for you and Hil," she says. I like her voice. It's throaty and rich.
"You'd do anything?" my father repeats numbly. "Even now? After -?"
"Even now," the woman says firmly. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

There's hope around the corner. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Smashed fly or the dead pig, gone stiff in the sun. It made his stomach feel funny even trying. "I don't think it's fair we've got to do Luke's chores now," Luke's other brother, — Margaret Peterson Haddix

A ssure you, the more I travel through time, the more I witness, the more I realize that there are things that are both strange and wonderful, far beyond human comprehension. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Luke's dad harrumphed, and paused in the midst of shoveling forkfuls of boiled potatoes into his mouth. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I don't know what you two are up to," Hobart said. "But you be careful now, you hear? Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"Well now, that doesn't restrict us very much, does it?" Mark teased back. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I wish, peevishly, that he didn't know anything about how soldiers sleep, how they protect their fellow soldiers. It would be nicer if I could share the cloaks warmth with him, if we could lie with our faces together, whispering into the night. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

ever-present, BlackBerry-obsessed dad. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

So," the bearded man said, "we kill this man — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Most people couldn't be rich if they wanted to be honest; most people couldn't be honest if they wanted to be rich. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

And this is why people believe in God, isn't it? Jonah wondered. Because we can tell there's something bigger out there that we're part of. Because we can tell that there's something more to all of us, and more to all of our lives. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Sure you can be a coward and hope somone else changes the wrld for you. You can hide up in that attic of yours until someone knocks on the door and says, 'Oh, hey, they freed the hidden. Want to come out?' Is that what you want"
Luke didnt answer
"You've got to come, Luke, or you'll hate yourself the rest of your life. When you dont have to hide anymore, even years from now, there'll always be some small part of you whispering 'I don't deserve this. I didnt fight for it. I'm not worth it.' And you are, Luke, you are. You're smart and funny and nice, and you should be living life, instead of being buried alive in that old house of yours — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Because," he said in an even voice, "you're used to winning, so you don't even think about how, every time there's a game, both sides get that 'rah, rah, team' speech from their coaches both sides hear 'you're the best!' 'You've got to win!' 'You're the greatest!' But half of the people playing that game are going to walk away losers. Half! — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Is any history really all that ancient? ... Doesn't every moment from the past affect the present? — Margaret Peterson Haddix

But Mother, I don't want to go. It's just that ... I have to. I can't spend the rest of my life hiding in the attic.
[ ... ]
I don't want to be a burden[ ... ]I want to do something with my life. Figure out ways to help other third kids. Make - make a difference in the world. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I leaned my head back and closed my eyes, my mind a jumble. So much for breaking it off gently, I thought. The humor helped my mind clear, but I couldn't laugh. What would happen next? — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I am not just what I remember. I am also what I dream. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Amazing, Yetta thought. Back home I couldn't have chosen my own husband. And here I'm thinking about choosing presidents, governors, mayors, laws ... — Margaret Peterson Haddix

But really, he told himself. There are just some people who don't seem like they ever could have been young. It's like trying to imagine my grandparents as little kids. Or - like the guy who played Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies. No way he was ever young. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Was it still paranoia if all his fears were justified? — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Some things just are. They can't be changed or undone or fixed.But people-people can heal. Even from events they believe are unendurable. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I snorted "oh, beauty. What's that good for?"
Mary stared, her eyes round.
"It won you the prince, did it not?"
I snorted again, I prefer to think that he was captivated by my charming personality." I giggled to let Mary know I was trying to make fun of myself. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

There is nothing more valuable than the printed word. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

He made time travel sound almost like hide-and-seek or capture the flag or some other spylike game
only with higher stakes and greater consequences. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

But things are so bad, I feel like I'm going to explode if I don't do something. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

It'd be like looking for a needle in a burning haystack.'
'Oh, I've done that,' Mark said airily. 'It's a game we used to play, after we got rid of all our livestock and didn't need our hay no more. You throw a match into the haystack, give the fire a three-second head start, and begin looking. You can find the needle every time if you work quick — Margaret Peterson Haddix

What were you supposed to do, talking to a hologram of a dead man, when a younger version of that man was still alive? Should you offer condolences?
Jordan decided that really wasn't necessary. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Sometimes you have to fight for what you want,' Chip said, his expression set. 'Sometimes the fight is all you get. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

To quote a famous philosopher revered in my time 'But this is no different from regular life. When have you ever known what's going to happen in the future?' Wait a minute, Jonah thought. I said that. Back at Westminster, with Katherine. Does that mean I'm going to be a famous philosopher in the future? Does that mean I'm going to be revered? There wasn't time to ask. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Maybe never again as long as I live. He turned and walked into the — Margaret Peterson Haddix

But did he go to heaven?" Katherine persisted.
"That's between him and God, not him and history," JB said.
Alex started, jerking so spastically that he kicked the basketball and would have sent it spinning out into the street if Chip hadn't caught it. Amazingly, Chip still seemed to have a swordsman's quick reflexes.
"YOU believe in God?" Alex asked JB incredulously. "But you know how to travel through time. You're a scientist." He hesitated. "Aren't you?"
JB rolled his eyes.
"It amazes me how people of your time set up such a false dichotomy between science and religion. Fortunately, that only lasts for another ... well, I can't tell you that," he said, stopping himself just in time. "But I assure you, the more I travel through time, the more I witness, the more I realize that there are things that are both strange and wonderful, far beyond human comprehension." (pgs 299-300) — Margaret Peterson Haddix

A thousand times today I've started to open my mouth, started to squeak out, Can you tell me ... ? But then I'd look into the front seat, at my mother's silent shaking, my father's grim profile, the mournful bags under his eyes, and all the questions I might ask seemed abusive. Assault and battery, a question mark used like a club. My parents are old and fragile. I'd have to heartless to want to hurt them. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I can tell you that you will have your hearts broken more by the people you love than by the people you hate. But you must still dare to love. The rewards are worth far more than the risks. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Jonah wondered what JB could possibly find to say without bringing up some touchy topic: Hey, sorry about kidnapping your niece and taking her four hundred years back in time. Sorry she got stuck there for five years. Sorry we had to count on a thirteen-year-old to rescue her. Oh, wait - you don't know about any of that, do you? — Margaret Peterson Haddix

We will not be stupid girls. We will not be powerless girls. We will not be useless girls — Margaret Peterson Haddix

It kind of seemed like, as long as he was alive, there was still hope that he could fix things. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

The sudden silence is horrifying, and it seems to catch my mother off guard. A tiny whimper escapes her, the sound amplified in the stillness. Surely, my father hears her now; surely he and I can't go on pretending she isn't crying. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

But, really, are there any guys out there who aren't jerks? I don't even know any grown-up men who aren't jerks. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I have a choice. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Somehow this change was even scarier than all the people downstairs, because Jordan could have an identical twin; there could be kids who looked like his parents' childhood pictures.
The bunk beds were impossible. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

The Government justifies keeping everyone else in poverty because people seem to work the hardest when they're right on the edge of survival. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Baby smuggling is a serious crime,' he said. 'There were thirty-six babies on that plane. We could charge you with thirty-six counts of kidnapping.'
That, at least, got Second to look back at Mr. Reardon.
'Does FBI mean Federal Bureau of Idiots?' he asked. 'If any of you were any good at analyzing footprints, you would know that I fell when I was trying to sneak into the airport grounds, not out.'
'And why would you do that?' Mr. Reardon asked, hunching forward over a notepad.
'It was a dare, all right?' Second snarled. 'I was with my friends and we were talking about what it would be like to stand on a runway when a plane was landing and ... we decided to try it out.'
'That's a crime too,' Mr. Reardon said.
Second shrugged. 'It ain't thirty-six counts of kidnapping,' he said. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Sometimes you do your very best and you lose anyway. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Cleopatra breathed my air,' Katherine muttered.
'She's delirious!' Chip said.
'No, she's right,' Alex said. 'Haven't you heard that thing about how, at any given moment, at least one atom of the air in your lungs was probably once in Cleopatra's lungs? Or George Washington's or Albert Einstein's or Martin Luther King's, or whoever you want to pick from history? — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Why didn't you tell me that evil could be so lighthearted? — Margaret Peterson Haddix

You bite off more than you can chew, 'course you're going to choke. One bite at a time. And that goes for thinking things, too, not just food. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Jen, we did it. Everyone's free now. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Winning isn't everything," Eisenhower said faintly. "Sometimes, just knowing your family's safe and healthy and alive is even better. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I want to Live! Not Die, Not Hide, LIVE! — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I wasn't asking anything about God," Jonah complained.
"Yeah, you kind of were," JB said. "If there is fate, who else would control it? — Margaret Peterson Haddix

It's like I'd been walking a tightrope with a big safety net underneath me, but I never really thought about the net until someone took it away. And then every single step scared me to death. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I was Pandora, bound and determined to open that box. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

my parents are very good at bribery. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Staring into the ring of candles - proud that the number of his years finally made a ring, all around the cake — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I wouldn't even let your dad talk about . . . — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Mother came over and gave Luke's shoulder a reassuring squeeze before turning back to the stove. They had defied the Government once, with Luke. That had taken all the defiance they had in them. Maybe more. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Ah, jeez ... She really is a cheerleader.' And it seemed suddenly that this was true- not because she was an airhead or a hottie or a nonjock, but because she could throw herself so wholeheartedly into someone else's cause, because she could care so much and try so hard from the sidelines. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

I rise up on my tiptoes. He's already bending his head down, moving his lips toward mine. And then, well, I haven't exactly studied this, but I'm pretty sure that ours is not the most expert kiss in Sualan history. It's a little hard to figure out how we should tilt our heads so our noses don't bump. But this kiss is a promise, a vow. Come to think of it, it doesn't really matter that ours is not the most expert kiss in Sualan history. It's still the best. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Want to change history? Luke made a stab at humor. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Listen, I'll share some of the wisdom I learned over the years. When you near the end of your life ... when you're a lonely old man ... you start realizing what your accomplishments are really worth. The most brilliant clue I ever deciphered, the millions I earned
even the microwavable burrito itself
sometimes I think I'd be willing to trade all of it for a single hug of someone who truly loves me. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

Hope doesn't mean anything ... Action's the only thing that counts. — Margaret Peterson Haddix

At times like this, Eryn didn't feel like they were just twins. They were teammates. They were partners. They were two halves of the same brain. — Margaret Peterson Haddix