A Place at the Table Quotes

“But her comment still cut, reminding me of the thorns I drew in my garden sketches. Raw, and doubly painful because they’re attached to flowers. Barbed comments hurt more when they come from a neighbor or a friend.”
― Saadia Faruqi, A Place at the Table

“One pound fifty pence for mushy peas. Our shopping done, we climb a flight of stairs to the fish market, then the stall that smells of vinegar. Two orders of mushy peas slathered in tangy mint sauce, bright green heaven in Styrofoam cups. We walk through the old market square, Nan and me window shopping. We eat, never thinking this is the last time.”
― Saadia Faruqi, A Place at the Table

“I take a shower, then make tomato soup from scratch for lunch. As I puree tomatoes in a blender, Mom leans on the counter, sipping her tea.
“You know that comes ready-made in a tin,” she points out.
“Canned soup isn’t made with love,” I say.
“Love is messy.” she points to the tomato-splashed spoons, pots, and measuring cups in the sink.
“Worth it,” I reply.”
― Saadia Faruqi, A Place at the Table

“As you become U.S. citizens, don’t lose who you are. Our differences are what make America great.”
― Saadia Faruqi, A Place at the Table

“whispers. “She loves talking about food.” I’m surprised that Elizabeth has picked up on it. “How do you know she’s not always this serious?” I whisper back. “Your mom is friendly. Last week she kept a smile on her face, even when kids were giving her a hard time.” Mama is definitely like that. Always smiling. The thought of the big stack of bills on the kitchen table rises in my mind. Another person would have been crying at the idea of debt, or at least getting angry or stressed out. But not her. “That’s my”
― Laura Shovan, A Place at the Table

“My head is aching, and my cheeks feel hot. I’ve heard this lecture about sixty thousand times. Study hard. Get good grades. Be a doctor or something. You owe it to us because we left our homes and came to America. For you.”
― Saadia Faruqi, A Place at the Table

“Maddy say. “Indian food is disgusting.”
― Saadia Faruqi, A Place at the Table

“Maddy Montgomery is giving us the blackest scowl I ever saw. “What’s up with all the Arabs at this school?” she practically screeches. “It’s like Saudi Middle over here.”
― Saadia Faruqi, A Place at the Table

“The message is clear: You’re different. You’re not wanted.”
― Saadia Faruqi, A Place at the Table

“Maddy says, “Her mom’s not even American. My dad says they should only hire PLU at this school.” “What the heck is PLU?” Micah asks. Maddy tosses her ponytail. “Oh, you know. ‘People like us.”
― Saadia Faruqi, A Place at the Table