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Jerry Spinelli Quotes

Powerful Jerry Spinelli for Daily Growth

About Jerry Spinelli

Jerry Spinelli, born on December 11, 1943, in Norristown, Pennsylvania, is an acclaimed American author of children's literature known for his unique storytelling style and deeply human characters. Raised in a close-knit Italian-American family, Spinellenurtured a love for reading from a young age, often visiting the local library to immerse himself in various genres. After graduating from West Chester State College (now West Chester University) with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Spinelli taught school before turning full-time author. His debut novel, "Boy of the Pools," published in 1976, was followed by other successful works like "Stargirl" (2000), a heartwarming tale of an extraordinary girl who transforms her small town, and "Maniamal World" (1998), a humorous exploration of the complexities of childhood friendship. Spinelli's most celebrated work is arguably "Welcome to the Monkey House," a series of interconnected short stories based on his youth in Norristown. The book, published in 1998 and adapted into a play in 2017, offers a poignant glimpse into the author's formative years. Spinelli has been awarded numerous accolades throughout his career, including two Newbery Medals for "Maniac Magee" (1990) and "Stargirl" (2000), reflecting his ability to craft stories that resonate with children and adults alike. His unique narrative voice, rooted in reality yet infused with a touch of fantasy, continues to captivate readers worldwide, making Jerry Spinelli an enduring figure in the world of children's literature.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Life doesn't happen to you. It happens for you."

This quote suggests that life's events are not random or happening merely to us, but they have a purpose, serving as opportunities for growth, learning, and self-discovery. In other words, each experience, both positive and negative, is a chance for personal development, shaping our character and contributing to our overall journey in life. It encourages us to view challenges and hardships not as obstacles, but as stepping stones towards becoming our best selves.

"What I know now is this: There are always two who see each other; there are always three when love becomes a story."

This quote by Jerry Spinelli suggests that relationships often involve two people directly interacting, but as emotions deepen into love, a third party can become involved – the shared experience or memory of the relationship itself. In other words, love transforms personal experiences into a story that connects the two individuals and transcends their immediate interaction, creating an enduring bond.

"The world we live in was created by the thoughts of those who came before us. Our next task, our next gift to those yet unborn, is to create a world worthy of their dreams."

This quote by Jerry Spinelli emphasizes that the current state of the world is shaped by the thoughts and actions of past generations. It suggests a profound responsibility for us as the present generation to continue shaping the world positively, ensuring it is suitable and inspiring for future generations. The "next gift" refers to the legacy we leave behind through our deeds, creativity, and collective consciousness – a world that aligns with the dreams and aspirations of those who will come after us.

"If you run, eventually you'll be out of breath. But if you think running away will keep you safe, you're wrong. It won't."

This quote by Jerry Spinelli emphasizes that while physical escape (running away) can provide temporary relief or distance from a problem or situation, it does not guarantee safety or resolution. Ultimately, the root cause of one's issues needs to be confronted and addressed head-on for lasting peace and growth.

"It takes a whole village to raise a child. It takes a whole universe to create one."

This quote by Jerry Spinelli emphasizes the interconnectedness and collaboration required for personal growth, particularly in nurturing children. The phrase "it takes a whole village" refers to the community effort needed to raise a child - this can extend beyond immediate family to include teachers, friends, neighbors, and other influential figures. However, "it takes a whole universe to create one" signifies that individual development is also shaped by broader, more intangible factors such as experiences, cultural influences, and even cosmic elements like fate or chance. Essentially, the quote highlights the holistic nature of human development, suggesting that while we are products of our immediate surroundings, we are ultimately shaped by a much larger universe.

I seem to have a natural tendency to want to share my own observations and feelings with other people, and writing seems to be the way I'm best equipped to do that.

- Jerry Spinelli

Natural, Other, Tendency, Observations

I've been writing since I was sixteen. At first, I wrote mostly short stories and poetry. The first thing I ever had published was a poem about a football game. It was printed in my local newspaper.

- Jerry Spinelli

Newspaper, Been, Mostly, Printed

Just because so many conforming kids wake up every morning asking, 'What is everybody else going to wear today?' doesn't mean that they don't wish it were different. Peer pressure is just that: pressure.

- Jerry Spinelli

Asking, Everybody, Wear, Peer Pressure

Peer pressure is just that: pressure.

- Jerry Spinelli

Pressure, Peer, Just, Peer Pressure

Nobody told me how hard it was going to be to get published. I wrote four novels that nobody wanted, sent them out all over, collected hundreds and hundreds of rejection slips.

- Jerry Spinelli

Over, Going, Wrote, Rejection Slips

Even including myself, my favorite author is Eileen Spinelli, who I happen to live with. She's a terrific writer and has written several of my all-time favorites.

- Jerry Spinelli

Happen, Including, Favorites, All-Time

Once, I was out of the house 93 days in a year. I was missing grandparents' days at schools and kids' birthdays and Valentine's Day, not to mention the fact that when you're on the road, you can't get anything done. I had to learn to say 'No,' cut back on travel.

- Jerry Spinelli

Fact, Year, Cut, Birthdays

I'm remembering one book that I wrote, 'Fourth Grade Rats,' that took a month to write, but most of them, full-length novels, I would say about a year.

- Jerry Spinelli

Year, Took, About A Year, Novels

Ideas come from ordinary, everyday life. And from imagination. And from feelings. And from memories. Memories of dust in my sneakers and humming whitewalls down a hill called Monkey.

- Jerry Spinelli

Ideas, Monkey, Sneakers, Humming

In 'Hokey Pokey,' bikes are kind of more than bikes alone. They become mustangs; they become creatures that rip up the dust as they gallop across the Great Plains.

- Jerry Spinelli

Kind, Creatures, Bikes, Rip

Kids still can be said to live in their own little world. Even if their parents are helicoptering around them, assigning play dates and so forth, I think they're still living in some sense of their own little perceptual worlds.

- Jerry Spinelli

Play, Some, I Think, Perceptual

I was very naive, and I thought it was just a matter of writing my first book and sending it in, and for the rest of my life I would be writing books and collecting royalties. Nobody told me how hard it was going to be to get published.

- Jerry Spinelli

My Life, Thought, Very, Naive

When I was growing up, the first thing I wanted to be was a cowboy. That lasted till I was about ten. Then I wanted to be a baseball player. Preferably shortstop for the New York Yankees.

- Jerry Spinelli

Growing, About, Till, Yankees

I became a children's author by accident. As far as I'm concerned, I write for everybody.

- Jerry Spinelli

Everybody, Concerned, Became, As Far As

When people hear I have six kids and 16 grandkids, they think, 'Oh, boy, you must get a lot of stories from them.' I don't. It's not like I'm behind the sofa in the living room taking notes while the grandkids carry on.

- Jerry Spinelli

Behind, Notes, Grandkids, Hear

I played Little League in junior high and high school.

- Jerry Spinelli

School, Little League, High, Junior

More often than not, my reference point is not the kids or the grandkids but myself when I was that age. I remember the days at Hartranft Elementary and Stewart Junior High in Norristown.

- Jerry Spinelli

Myself, I Remember, More, Junior

I think I have a pretty goofy profile for a writer. It seems to me most writers were reading 'Little Women' when they were 6 months old. At the age of a lot of my readers, I wanted to be a major league baseball player. I didn't read much.

- Jerry Spinelli

Goofy, I Think, Lot, Readers

My first four books were not published because nobody wanted them. They were adult books, not kids' books.

- Jerry Spinelli

Four, Books, Wanted, Published

I never became a cowboy or baseball player, and now I'm beginning to wonder if I ever really became a writer. I find that I hesitate to put that label on myself, to define myself by what I do for a living.

- Jerry Spinelli

Cowboy, Living, Became, Wonder

Write about what you care about. If you do that, you're probably going to do your best writing, reach off the page and touch the reader. How are you going to make the reader care if you don't care yourself?

- Jerry Spinelli

Reach, Going, Reader, Do Your Best

I became a children's author by accident.

- Jerry Spinelli

Children, Became, Author, Accident

Sometimes I'm asked if I do research for my stories. The answer is yes and no. No, in the sense that I seldom plow through books at the library to gather material. Yes, in the sense that the first fifteen years of my life turned out to be one big research project.

- Jerry Spinelli

My Life, Big, Through, Plow

I pointedly avoid doing sequels, since for the most part I find that a sequel rarely stands up to the original.

- Jerry Spinelli

Doing, Original, Sequels, Rarely

I went to Gettysburg College, where the famous Civil War battle was fought. I majored in English. I would've liked to major in writing, but they didn't offer a major in that.

- Jerry Spinelli

College, Famous, Civil War, Gettysburg

Actually, between books is precisely when I do give myself vacations.

- Jerry Spinelli

Give, Actually, Precisely, Vacations

There are bits and pieces of me probably in every one of my 35 or so books.

- Jerry Spinelli

Pieces, Books, Bits, Bits And Pieces

Most people are looking for a challenging, interesting job. I wanted a boring, undemanding job so that I could forget about it at 5, so that I would have something left over at the end of the day to do my own stuff.

- Jerry Spinelli

End Of The Day, Own, About, Challenging

I would say if you want to write, write what you care about. I think that's the most important thing. I think if you write what you care about, you stand a better chance of having the reader care about your story.

- Jerry Spinelli

I Think, About, Reader, Better Chance

I don't really write for adults or kids - I don't write for kids, I write about them. I think you need to do that; otherwise, you end up preaching down. You need to listen not so much to the audience but to the story itself.

- Jerry Spinelli

Think, Audience, Otherwise, Preaching

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