Quote 1 (pg. 6) "To have a child with autism and to be told she'll never be capable of genuine communication, that her life will always be severely limited, is to know deep and abiding grief. From our experience, a child with autism is like a person locked inside a closet at the top of a collapsed stairway, in a boarded-up house that's hidden by overgrown vines, down a driveway blocked by deadfall on a street bypassed by the highway. This closet is the entire life of the autistic individual, removed from the world. Yet the worst horror is the thought that within that closet, a single light burns brightly." This is a really poignant quote. It has this imagery that brings this sadness as it is read, but it also helps to really visualize the experiences of so many people with autism. This is a good way to start off the book, (as it is included in the prologue) to set up this imagery and the book takes us through Emily's journey in expressing her voice. Quote 2 (pg 8) "I felt like a threat had been lobbed...We need to do something to address her behavior. But what?" The diction is this quote indicates the frantic mood of the events that were transpiring. Valerie feels so lost, angry, and confused. The people that were supposed to be helping her and helping Emily, don't want them anymore, and Valerie doesn't know what to do. As this is also in the prologue, it sets up the story for the struggles that Valerie will face all throughout Emily's life, trying to get her the support, education, and needs from people who said they would help, and are supposed to do so, but don't. Quote 3 (pg 11) "I think it was my autistic brain- that part of me that helps me navigate the disorder but is not really who I am-who chose the sounds. Autistic brain is the disorder, a part of me but in some ways, not the real me." This is one of the first times that Emily's voice is really heard in the book, besides the note at the beginning. This is placed about halfway through the first chunk in the first paragraph where she is speaking. It really gives a peak into her identity. She doesn't see herself as autism. She sees herself, someone with autism. She established the part it plays in her life, but it isn't her life. With this quote, it also shows a shift in tone from what her mom was conveying, versus what Emily was conveying. Emily seems more thoughtful, calm, and inquisitive. This is a stark contrast against her mom's "go go go" and stark truth tone. Quote 4 (16) "Once the baby came..." This shows her mindset when she first had Emily Quote 5 (pg 35) "I crumbled a bit as we left the office...." This part sets a tone for the rest of the story. The passage reflects the desperate uncertainty of Valerie as she holds and looks at Emily. The last line, where she talks about fighting for Emily gives another peak into Valerie's personality. She is someone who is so determined and willing to do what she needs to do for her daughter. Reading this section, it set a broad focus on the future full of uncertainty for Emily and Valerie. Quote 6 (pg 36) "it's a strange thing...much" three sentances to describe all that emotion. change of timing from past -> pressent Quote 7 (pg 47) autism and motivation...i had nothing at the time that made it worth all the rules peak into emily's identity - relates to how as youth we don't often connect to the future Quote 8 (pg 50) over the years...not often what's expected Quote 9 (pg 54) about emily graduating preschool Quote 10 (pg 60) "language was always interesting to me...learned the way words worked around" simple diction, shows the complexity of what words meant to her