Attack of the Black Rectangles Quotes

“But if we want to change the world so it's good for everyone, it's important to talk about the truth.”
― Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

“If you're comfortable learning history, it's the wrong history.”
― Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

“We’re all a mess,” he repeats. “The biggest lie ever told to children is that the adults around them aren’t a mess.”
― Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

“No one is ever just one thing.”
― Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

“I think life is what life is and we just have to try our best.”
― Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

“Why do they treat kids like we don't mean anything?”
― Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

“I cry because the world is a cruel place. I cry because sometimes things don't make sense. I cry because I feel bad for crying.”
― Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

“I love banned books. I used to read as many to you as I could when you were little, Mac.”

“You read me banned books?” I say this sarcastically because I know he’s making it up.

“Almost exclusively,” he answers—dead serious. “Charlotte’s Web and the poetry book by—uh—Silverstein—uh.”

“Where the Sidewalk Ends?” I say.

“And Reynolds—brave … uh …”

“As Brave as You? No! How could anyone ban that?”

“Yeah. And Paterson’s Bridge to Terabithia. Remember that one?”

“I cried for a whole day.”

Mom says, “Where the Wild Things Are. And Tango Makes Three. Melissa.”

“Captain Underpants!” Grandad adds.

“A lot of younger books you loved. I Am Rosa Parks,” Mom says. “And Last Stop on Market Street and Henry’s Freedom Box, and …”

Grandad says, “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry!”
― Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

“Some battles we lose. Some battles we win. But some battles aren't ours to fight.”
― Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

“I try to feel beautiful but I'm keeping too many secrets.”
― Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

“grab my Todoroki sweatshirt from the hall.”
― Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles

“Are you really my father?”

“Yes.”

“So is that even allowed? You, um, having babies with humans?”

“No.”

“Did you do it so you could be an on-the-ground research assistant?” I ask.

“I did it because I was interested in learning about love,” Dad says. “Humans have this pull toward each other. They have the opposite, too, of course. Hate is equally interesting. But I wanted to study love, you see. Then I met your mother.”

“And you loved her?”

“She loved me,” he says. “I can’t love like humans love.”

That stings. “Oh.”
― Amy Sarig King, Attack of the Black Rectangles