The List of Things That Will Not Change Quotes

“There are people who will try to make you choose between who you are and who they want you to be. You have to watch out for those people.”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“...life is like a trip. A very long one. And what matters most is the people you travel with.”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“With the right people, you can carry your boat and it doesn't even feel that heavy.”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“That's what happens when people take away their love, Bea. It makes you smaller. Sometimes, it makes you disappear.”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“When Miriam first told me about that, I got a picture in my mind's eye of a girl standing very still, with someone hiding behind her, and someone else behind her. And they're all perfectly straight so that no one can tell how many people are actually there. Sometimes I feel exactly like that. Like I'm a bunch of different Beas, all lined up to look like one.”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“One of the first things Miriam told me about was how to worry. She wanted me to worry for five minutes straight, two times a day. She said I should sit quietly somewhere, maybe with a piece of paper and some colored pencils, and just worry, one time in the morning and once at night (but not right before bed). And if my worry showed up at any other time, like during school or at Angus's house, Miriam said I should tell it, "Go away, and I'll see you later". -Bea”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“Sheila made it sound simple, like everyone had one real self. But what if I didn't? Or what if my real self was no good? I kept imagining Angelica's face, half like usual, half not working right. Sometimes I felt like that on the inside, like I knew how I wanted to be, but it didn't match up with how I really was.”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“How did you get to be ten years old?"
"One day at a time.”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“(Then you have to tell everyone about your list so they know exactly what you want and don’t get you the wrong presents by accident.)”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“The chicken was good. Melissa made it, with carrots and potatoes, while Mom fiddled with the radio, made a salad, set the table, and said she was learning so much. Lizette said the chicken was almost as good as Mom’s lasagna. Mom looked at me, and we both started laughing. “What?” Lizette kept saying. “What?” But we wouldn’t tell her. — After dinner, Mom pushed her plate away, looked at Melissa, and said, “I got Dan’s wedding invitation.” “Got mine, too,” Melissa said. “We did, too!” Lizette said. She sounded way happier about it than Mom did, but Lizette didn’t notice. She started telling them all about the cake her grandma was planning. “That reminds me,” Melissa said. “I brought brownies!” Then Lizette and I looked at each other and laughed, because of all the cake we’d eaten before dinner. It was Mom’s turn to say, “What’s so funny? What?” But we wouldn’t tell her. We ate the brownies. And then we taught Melissa about dance-party cleanup. — When Lizette and Melissa were gone, the apartment felt really quiet. I kept trying to get Red to jump onto my bed, but he wouldn’t, and I gave up. The wedding was in five weeks. Mission had not sent back the little card saying he would come. I emailed Sonia before I went to bed.”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“If you think about it, Bea, life is like a trip. A very long one. And what matters most is the people you travel with.”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“The thing about making butter is that it feels like it'll never be done, almost right up to the moment when it is done. If what you want is butter, you have to keep going, even if you only half believe you'll get there.”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“I wanted to be good, but I wasn't sure if I WAS good or if I just wanted Dad and Aunt Ess and everyone to SEE me being good.”
― rebecca stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“If you think about it, Bea, life is like a trip. A very long one. And what matters most is the people you travel with" -Jesse”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“Miriam says that sometimes, when we don't want to 'look hard at our behavior,' we look hard at everything else instead...”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“Happiness makes me feel brave" -Bea”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“That's what happens when people take away their love, Bea. It makes you smaller. Sometimes it makes you disappear" -Sheila”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“Miriam says don't lie down inside a bad feeling if you can help it" - Bea”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“It's about the kind of love that doesn't ask you to be anyone but who you are.”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“You are allowed to make mistakes. And to be forgiven.”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change

“Part of me was excited. But part of me was really tired. I had been carrying something for a long time. I needed to put it down.”
― Rebecca Stead, The List of Things That Will Not Change