There is nothing worse than war in the summertime.

— Kate DiCamillo

There," she said. She rocked him back and forth. "There, you foolish, beautiful boy who wants to change the world. There, there. And who could keep from loving you? Who could keep from loving a boy so brave and true?

— Kate DiCamillo

There was something scary about watching adults sleep. It was as if no one at all were in charge of the world.

— Kate DiCamillo

The sound of the king's music made Devereaux's soul grow large and light inside of him.

— Kate DiCamillo

The story is not a pretty one. There is violence in it. And cruelty. But stories that are not pretty have a certain value, too, I suppose. Everything, as you well know (having lived in this world long enough to have figured out a thing or two for yourself), cannot always be sweetness and light.

— Kate DiCamillo

The words were good words, Ulysses felt, maybe even great words, but the list was very incomplete. He was just getting started. The words needed to be arranged, fussed with, put in the order of his heart.

— Kate DiCamillo

The world is dark, and light is precious. Come closer, dear reader. You must trust me. I am telling you a story.

— Kate DiCamillo

The world went on. People left and people died and people went to memorial services and put orange blocks of cheese into their purses. People confessed to you that they were hungry all the time. And then you got up in the morning and pretended that none of it had happened.

— Kate DiCamillo

This is a wonderful joke to play upon a prisoner, to promise forgiveness.

— Kate DiCamillo

We forget that the simple gesture of putting a book in someone's hands can change a life. I want to remind you that it can. I want to thank you because it did. - 2010 Indies Choice Award

— Kate DiCamillo