How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"I don't feel qualified to homeschool you anymore. Truth be told, I probably should have put you in middle school. It was just such a long drive from Orick and your dad was commuting already and… anyway. It's time." (1.95)
Laurel's mom think it's time for Laurel to grow up and go to public high school, even if Laurel's not too keen on the idea. Everyone has to grow up and learn to cope with big life changes, after all.
Quote #2
After only three days, the school was beginning to be more familiar; she didn't feel so lost, and even the crush of people that had been so overwhelming on Monday wasn't quite so bad today. For the first time since leaving Orick, Laurel felt like she belonged. (2.39)
Part of coming of age includes figuring out who you are and where you fit in (if you even want to fit in… not everyone does). Laurel's on her way, though. It totally helps that she's made some new friends who help her ease into this transitional time in her life. We're thinking that having friends helps with just about everything, not just coming of age. Now we feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Quote #3
It made her feel strangely normal to get her first zit; like a rite of passage. She hadn't experienced puberty quite like the textbooks described it. She never got zits and, although her chest and hips had developed the way they were supposed to—a little early, actually—at fifteen and a half she still hadn't started her period. (4.16)
Puberty is one of the physical signs of coming of age, when your body starts to develop adult characteristics (and your mind, hopefully, is not far behind). But for Laurel, puberty is a mixed bag: She's got some stuff going on, but not the rest, and we can see where it'd make her feel like she doesn't quite fit in. It must feel awkward not being able to contribute to the locker-room conversations teenage girls have about their periods and stuff.