Sharon M. Draper Quotes & Sayings

Earthquake report: Walls are tumbling everywhere! — Sharon M. Draper

But Penny was born perfect and copper-bright, just like her name. From the minute she came home from the hospital, she was a really happy baby. Mom truly did carry a little bundle of joy into the house. But — Sharon M. Draper

What's right isn't always popular, and whats popular isn't always right. — Sharon M. Draper

What's the sense of living if you're ashamed of yourself? Stella's father said almost to himself. — Sharon M. Draper

She talked to me like I was just like any other student, not a kid in a wheelchair. — Sharon M. Draper

Words fall out of the sky like leaves, girl. Grab a couple and write 'em down. — Sharon M. Draper

Do you know what courage is? I guess you don't. Do you know that the courage it took at that moment - to actually blow yourself away - was more than enough courage to keep on living? — Sharon M. Draper

If Maria is our hugger, Gloria is our rocker. She rocks for hours in the corner under one of the dumb smiling flowers. — Sharon M. Draper

My parents have always blanketed me with conversation. — Sharon M. Draper

There's an unseen river of communication that forever flows - dark and powerful. Tonight was about food and laughter, yes. But it was also about navigatin' that river." A — Sharon M. Draper

Without the local library in my neighborhood, I don't think I would have grown up to be a writer or a teacher. — Sharon M. Draper

Maybe I'm not so different from everyone else after all. It's like somebody gave me a puzzle, but I don't have the box with the picture on it. So I don't know what the final thing is supposed to look like. I'm not even sure if I have all the pieces. — Sharon M. Draper

A library filled with thousands of books waiting for a thirsty kid like me to gulp them down. — Sharon M. Draper

Freedom is a delicate flower, like a pretty leaf in the air: It's hard to catch and may not be what you thought when you get it, she observed quietly.- Polly from Copper Sun — Sharon M. Draper

They make computers for the special eddies?" "It talks? Mine doesn't do that." "You don't need yours to talk!" "It sounds weird." "So do you. — Sharon M. Draper

And the machine speaks the words I've never been able to say. I love you. — Sharon M. Draper

Then let us pray," Pastor Patton said firmly. Stella noticed a few townspeople slowing down as they passed by; none of the faces looked pleasant. She closed her eyes. "Dear Lord," said the pastor, we bow down before you as we stand up for dignity. Be with us and protect us both morning, noon and night. Amen. — Sharon M. Draper

You know, children, quilts, like stories, are part of our heritage, part of our culture. Some quilts even tell stories. Our past is a patchwork of memories and tales. You all keep that forever tucked in your pockets, you hear? — Sharon M. Draper

Words have always swirled around me like snowflakes-each one delicate and different, each one melting untouched in my hands. — Sharon M. Draper

I just sit there. The morning started out like crystal, but the day has turned to broken glass. — Sharon M. Draper

The class laughed. I can tell the difference between people making fun of us and people being nice to us. — Sharon M. Draper

Stella's father hesitated. "Georgia supports me, but she was a mite trembly this morning. I brought Stella though."He squeezed her shoulders affectionately. "I don't want to just tell her about bravery--I want to show her what it looks like. — Sharon M. Draper

There is an unseen river of communication that forever flows
dark and powerful. — Sharon M. Draper

Step, fart. Step, fart. Step, fart. — Sharon M. Draper

Go ahead and cry, Andy. Don't be afraid of those tears. Sometimes they help to wash the soul clean. — Sharon M. Draper

[A] person is so much more than the name of a diagnosis on a chart. — Sharon M. Draper

Each grabbing one silver-wrapped chocolate from Mrs. Cooper's basket, it struck Stella that everyone got the same thing, no matter which school they went to. — Sharon M. Draper

Sometimes I just get tired of bowin' down and givin' up, you know?" It — Sharon M. Draper

But I'll always love you, and I'll always miss you and I'll never forget that It's okay to put dragons in the jungle and tears on a tiger — Sharon M. Draper

All the salve in the world can't cure what gets broken in somebody's soul -Mama — Sharon M. Draper

As another stack of two-by-fours landed by her porch, Stella couldn't help but think about how folks had come together when Spoon Man showed up. This time, however, they managed to do a cook-up for a whole house! Nobody had everything, but everybody had something to offer. — Sharon M. Draper

I believe in me. And my family does. And Mrs. V.
It's the rest of the world I'm not so sure of. — Sharon M. Draper

Down to the 23rd page of double dutch! — Sharon M. Draper

Stella wondered how silence could be so loud. — Sharon M. Draper

I was just thinking about me having children. Or being a grandma!" She giggled. "Think I'll be fat and have gray hair?"

"I sure hope so," her father said, laughing himself. — Sharon M. Draper

I don't think they get paid very much, because they never stay very long. But they should get a million dollars. What they do is really hard, and I don't think most folks get that. It — Sharon M. Draper

Look at that amazing display of sparkle! And feel that wind? It's trying to tickle your toes, — Sharon M. Draper

Bad writers don't practice, Stella. It's the good ones who care enough to try, who worry about getting the words just right. You are probably better than you think -Papa — Sharon M. Draper

Finally he said, "Bad writers don't practice, Stella. It's the good ones who care enough to try, who worry about getting the words just right. You are probably better than you think. — Sharon M. Draper

Dad also has the loudest, stinkiest farts in creation. I don't know how he manages to control them at work, or even if he does, but when he'd get home, he'd let them loose. They'd start as he walked up the stairs. — Sharon M. Draper

She read it over one last time, not really satisfied, but it was the truth. Even if it still had some scratch-outs. — Sharon M. Draper

A couple of weeks later my dad and I were in the car and we passed by a McDonald's. I screeched and kicked and pointed like Godzilla was coming down the street. Dad must have thought I was nuts. Finally, he said, "Would you like to stop and get a Big Mac and a shake for dinner tonight as a treat? — Sharon M. Draper

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor and The Giver by Lois Lowry. And — Sharon M. Draper

I felt like a real girl. — Sharon M. Draper

Fifth grade is probably pretty rocky for lots of kids. Homework. Never being quite sure if you're cool enough. Clothes. Parents. Wanting to play with toys and wanting to be grown up all at the same time. Underarm odor. I guess I have all that, plus about a million different layers of other stuff to deal with. Making people understand what I want. Worrying about what I look like. Fitting in. Will a boy ever like me? Maybe I'm not so different from everyone else after all. — Sharon M. Draper

I have learned to be patient with people. Once again I point to Rose's computer and then to the words me too. — Sharon M. Draper

Ashes don't necessarily signify an end — Sharon M. Draper

Music is powerful, my young friends," she said. "It can connect us to memories. It can influence our mood and our responses to problems we might face. — Sharon M. Draper

Don't aim for riches, child. Aim for happiness. -Mrs. Mills — Sharon M. Draper

It's like I've always had a painted musical sound track playing background to my life. I can almost hear colors and smell images when music is played. — Sharon M. Draper

Teenage girls today need strong, positive role models that can show them how to be independent thinkers and confident decision-makers. Dana is proud and self-confident, which is good, but she does not always make wise decisions. Rather than make her a super woman, I balanced her with difficult situations that could have been handled better. Her strength, however, shines through. This way, a young woman can read the book, discuss Dana's actions, and reflect on the decision-making in her own life. — Sharon M. Draper

Earthquake report: Call the paramedics. A girl in fifth grade is about to explode. — Sharon M. Draper

I like how a book feels when I turn the pages, and how the ink smells - almost like something good to eat. — Sharon M. Draper

Thoughts need words. Words need a voice. — Sharon M. Draper

I learned to dream through reading, learned to create dreams through writing, and learned to develop dreamers through teaching. I shall always be a dreamer. — Sharon M. Draper

Twenty minutes later, just as Stella thought she was going to collapse with worry and anticipation, her father, the pastor, and Mr. Spencer emerged from the polling station, smiles lighting their faces. And now she saw what she'd expected to see earlier in Mr. Spencer's eyes. They were on fire. — Sharon M. Draper

We've got to think positive thoughts. — Sharon M. Draper

One series of notes, high and delicate, sang of a sweet moonlight kiss gone sour; another line of music rippled with regret over opportunities forever lost. — Sharon M. Draper

Do not let anyone stop you from succeding — Sharon M. Draper

Nobody rides trains anymore! — Sharon M. Draper

What's Mr. Dimming's first name?" "Wallace!" We all cracked up at that. — Sharon M. Draper

Ingredients 2 packages blueberry gelatin 1 small clean glass fishbowl ½ cup blueberries ½ cup grapes 1 package gummy fish 1 package gummy sharks 1 package gummy flowers 1 package gummy worms 1 thick pretzel rod 1 package red string licorice Directions 1. In a bowl, prepare gelatin according to directions on package. 2. Refrigerate for one hour. 3. While the Jell-O is gelling, add blueberries and grapes to bottom of fishbowl; these are the rocks on the bottom. 4. While it is still soft, spoon the gelatin over the fruit; this is the water. 5. Push the gummy fish, sharks, and flowers into the gelatin. 6. Place in refrigerator; serve cold. 7. To make a fishing pole, tie some red string licorice to a gummy worm, place a pretzel rod on top of the fishbowl, and attach the red string licorice to it. — Sharon M. Draper

Earthquake report: This is the big one. — Sharon M. Draper

Mom I can' read and the school might be open in three weaks — Sharon M. Draper

I don't want it!" I finally type. Then, turning the volume as loud as it will go, I add, "You deserve it!"
Still laughing, I click on the power to my chair, do a smooth turn, and roll myself out of the classroom. — Sharon M. Draper

She's, like, really, really beautiful, but I don't think she sees that when she looks in the mirror. — Sharon M. Draper

Teachers must be celebrated for moving civilization from ignorance to enlightenment, from apathy to responsibility. — Sharon M. Draper

Earthquake report: Expect big aftershocks - nothing like this has ever been seen before. — Sharon M. Draper

I hate that word, by the way. Retarded. I — Sharon M. Draper

By the way, there is nothing cute about a pink wheelchair. Pink doesn't change a thing. — Sharon M. Draper

I know people will say that it's because of the accident that I came back to church-well, they're right. I'm not too proud to know when a problem is bigger than I am. — Sharon M. Draper

Trust me. The older you get, the scarier the world gets to be. — Sharon M. Draper

Everybody uses words to express themselves. Except me. And I bet most people don't realize the real power of words. But I do. Thoughts — Sharon M. Draper

Delete, delete, delete. No way am I letting their negativity mess me up. I have enough to worry about. — Sharon M. Draper

I tried so hard, I farted! Mrs. — Sharon M. Draper

I'm always amazed at how adults assume I can't hear. They talk about me as if I'm invisible, figuring I'm too retarded to understand their conversation. I learn quite a bit this way. — Sharon M. Draper

Stella expected to see fire in Mr. Spencer's eyes, fire like the flames that had made tinder of his house. Instead his eyes were soft, gentle, and brown like the earth. "I have to show them they didn't destroy me," he said simply. — Sharon M. Draper

Long as you remember, ain't nothin' really gone. — Sharon M. Draper

It's hard to imagine you and Daddy as ever being young and foolish. I figured you just appeared one day, fully grown and knowing all the answers, she teased. — Sharon M. Draper

Ingredients 1 large bottle white grape juice 4 drops red food color (or blue food color for the blue soda) 1 two-liter bottle of 7-Up (or similar product) 2 cups strawberry sherbet (or blueberry sherbet for the blue soda) Directions 1. Add food coloring to the white grape juice. 2. Pour the juice and the soda into a large pitcher. 3. Add sherbet and serve. — Sharon M. Draper

Franklin Delano Roosevelt is the new president. He won in a landslide. Landslide makes me think of rocks and dirt falling down a mountain. Not sure what that has to do with an election. But maybe it does. My papa voted. He is a pebble. Lots of pebbles make a landslide, right? His vote counted.

Roosevelt will move into the White House and will have a fine supper to celebrate, I guess. Papa had cornbread and buttermilk and beans with his friends at my house. I bet papa enjoyed his celebration more. — Sharon M. Draper

Ain't gonna let nobody turn me round, Turn me round, turn me round. Ain't gonna let nobody turn me round. Gonna keep on walkin', keep on talkin' Marching up to freedom land. — Sharon M. Draper

What would you do if you could fly?" Mrs. V asks as she glances from the bird to me.
"Is that on the quiz?" I ask, grinning as I type.
"I think we've studied just about everything else." Mrs. V chuckles.
"I'd be scared to let go," I type.
"Afraid you'd fall?" she asks.
"No. Afraid it would feel so good, I'd just fly away. — Sharon M. Draper

What your body looks like has nothing to do with how well your brain works! — Sharon M. Draper

Dad loves cheese. It doesn't agree with his digestive system very well, though. Dad also has the loudest, stinkiest farts in creation. I don't know how he manages to control them at work, or even if he does, but when he'd get home, he'd let them loose. They'd start as he walked up the stairs. Step, fart. Step, fart. Step, fart. I'd be laughing by the time he got to my room, and he'd lean over my bed and kiss me. His breath always smelled like peppermints. When — Sharon M. Draper

I can't talk. I can't walk. I can't feed myself or take myself to the bathroom. Big bummer. — Sharon M. Draper

(Don't take life as a ADVANTAGE take it SERIOUSLY because it's not a game) — Sharon M. Draper

Who Am I?
I'm a creator, a visionary, a poet. I approach the world with the eyes of an artist, the ears of a musician, and the soul of a writer. I see rainbows where others see only rain, and possibilities when others see only problems. I love spring flowers, summer's heat on my body, and the beauty of the dying leaves in the fall. Classical music, art museums, and ballet are sources of inspiration, as well as blues music and dim cafes. I love to write; words flow easily from my fingertips, and my heart beats rapidly with excitement as an idea becomes a reality on the paper in front of me. I smile often, laugh easily, and I weep at pain and cruelty. I'm a learner and a seeker of knowledge, and I try to take my readers along on my journey. I am passionate about what I do. I learned to dream through reading, learned to create dreams through writing, and learned to develop dreamers through teaching. I shall always be a dreamer. Come dream with me. — Sharon M. Draper

Her mother gave her a piece of warm biscuit and a hug before they left. "Stones don't cry, child. Remember that," was all she said. — Sharon M. Draper

I love the smell of my mother's hair after she washes it.
I love the feel of the scratchy stubble on my father's face before he shaves.
But I've never been able to tell them. — Sharon M. Draper