Somewhere Beyond the Sea (Cerulean Chronicles, #2)

by T.J. Klune

They were human. The world was built for them.

“All I can do is tell you that things will be different this time around. I will give the children what I never had: a place to be whoever they want to be, no matter what they can do or where they come from.”

“Because I believed—and still do—that places, just like people, can hold power over you if you let them. Unearned power that gives them the right to decide how others should be treated simply because of who they are.

The changes that must be made. The laws that must be repealed to make way for a world where anyone and everyone has a chance to be free to do with their lives what they wish.”

The road ahead will not be smooth. No matter what I—we say, there will always be those who refuse to accept the truth. They surround themselves with like-minded people, and it creates an echo chamber that’s nigh on impossible to escape. A feedback loop that never ends.

“But I believe the greatest weapon we have at our disposal is our voices. And I am going to use my voice for you, and for me. Hate is loud. We are louder.”

Talia rolled her eyes. “Of course it’s another boy. So many penises in this house.” “I don’t have a penis,” Chauncey said. “It’s more like a cloaca.” “What’s that?” Phee asked. “Oh! It’s this thing where—” “I don’t know that we need to talk about our genitals at the table where we eat,” Linus said. “I don’t mind,” Chauncey said. “I like my body. It’s squishy.”

“Happy tears aren’t sad tears, even if they look the same.”

“I think it’s because people like to be scared,” David said. “The same way they like to be happy. So long as you don’t hurt anyone, or eat them, why can’t you scare them?”

“I would love you just the same.” Lucy blinked in surprise. “Really? Why?” “Because every single day, I see the good in you. I see your kindness, your mischievousness. Your wonder at the world around you. Though we may not always agree, nothing you could do would ever make me stop loving you.”

“I bet it’ll rain organs,” Phee said. “Cloudy with a chance of lungs.”