Sharon Creech Quotes

Powerful Sharon Creech for Daily Growth

About Sharon Creech

Sharon Creech is an acclaimed American novelist, renowned for her poignant and thought-provoking children's literature that resonates with readers of all ages. Born on March 18, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio, Creech spent most of her formative years there before moving to England when she was ten. This early exposure to diverse cultures would later influence her storytelling. Creech returned to the United States and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in English from Miami University, Ohio. After teaching for several years, she pursued a Master's degree in Creative Writing at Ohio State University. Her educational background and experience in teaching would greatly impact her writing, as she often incorporates themes of self-discovery, friendship, and family dynamics in her works. In 1983, Creech published her first novel, "Absolutely Normal Chaos," a semi-autobiographical account of her experiences growing up in an eccentric household. The book was met with critical acclaim and established Creech as a promising new voice in children's literature. However, it was the publication of "Walk Two Moons" in 1994 that propelled Creech into literary stardom. This Newbery Medal-winning novel tells the story of Salamanca Tree Hiddle, a young girl who embarks on a journey to understand her mother's mysterious past. The novel explores themes of identity, family, and loss in a manner that resonates deeply with readers. Creech continued to produce celebrated works throughout her career, including "Ruby Holler" (2001) and "Love That Dog" (2001), both widely recognized for their emotional depth and poetic style. Her most recent work, "Mrs. Olson and the Stuphishly Stupid Super-Secret Category Project," was published in 2019. Throughout her career, Sharon Creech has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Newbery Medal, the Scott O'Dell Award, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. Her profound impact on children's literature continues to inspire generations of readers and writers alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I like to remember things, right smack in the middle, when nothing was a problem yet."

This quote expresses a desire for a moment of pause, reflecting on times in our lives before any challenges or problems have arisen. It's about cherishing the innocence and simplicity of a carefree moment, appreciating its purity and serenity. Essentially, it encourages us to savor moments of blissful ignorance before troubles enter our lives.


"It's not until you lose everything that you're free to do anything."

This quote suggests that when one experiences loss, they are often forced to let go of their former ties, responsibilities, or preconceived ideas about life. The resulting freedom can be liberating, enabling individuals to pursue dreams, opportunities, or paths that may have been previously unattainable due to external factors or self-imposed limitations. However, this freedom comes at a cost: the pain and discomfort associated with loss. It is important to remember that while loss can lead to newfound freedoms, it should not be sought out intentionally as it often involves great pain and hardship.


"I will always choose a seat on the aisle. I don't want to give up control of my freedom."

This quote emphasizes the importance of personal autonomy and independence. Sharon Creech chooses to sit by the aisle to retain control over her own decisions and actions, symbolizing her desire for freedom. The aisle seat represents choice, flexibility, and the power to come and go as she pleases, reflecting a broader philosophy about maintaining individuality and self-determination in life.


"You have to be true to yourself, even if it means being lonely."

This quote by Sharon Creech highlights the importance of personal integrity and authenticity, even when faced with isolation or solitude. It suggests that prioritizing one's own identity, values, and beliefs, regardless of societal norms or expectations, is essential for individual growth and fulfillment. Being true to oneself can lead to feelings of loneliness at times, as one may find themselves isolated from others who don't share the same convictions. However, it also encourages the reader to embrace their unique self, understanding that the journey towards authenticity can ultimately lead to a more meaningful and honest life.


"Words are our most inexhaustible source of power. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, to destroy. In many situations they shape our attitudes, they mold our lives."

Sharon Creech's quote underscores the profound impact that words can have on individuals and societies. They are a powerful tool for change, capable of promoting positivity, fostering healing, or causing harm and destruction. Words shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions; they mold our lives in significant ways. The correct use of language can inspire hope, generate empathy, and bring about understanding, while improper usage may fuel prejudice, instigate conflict, or cause emotional distress. Thus, it is crucial to wield words with care, for they have the potential to be either a source of great power or a means of great harm.


When my father died, I was living in England. It was very traumatic that he died when I was away.

- Sharon Creech

Living, England, Very, Traumatic

I cannot just write a frivolous book, a la-di-da book. Everything isn't la-di-da. There is something that's going to pull you up short. I want to reassure young readers. I want to comfort them, to not fear the unexpected.

- Sharon Creech

Unexpected, Young, Going, Frivolous

When I read good stories, I want to write good stories too.

- Sharon Creech

Stories, Read, Too, Good Stories

Read a lot, live your life, and listen and watch, so that your mind fills up with millions of images.

- Sharon Creech

Mind, Images, Read, Fills

I especially love all the instruments of art: inks, pens, paintbrushes, watercolors and oils, fine papers and canvases, and although I love to mess around with these tools and objects, I have minimal artistic skills.

- Sharon Creech

Love, Art, Watercolors, Pens

I enjoy receiving and giving realistic fiction, for both children and adults, with strong characters, beautiful language, and humane visions.

- Sharon Creech

Strong, Fiction, Humane, Visions

I don't remember titles of books or authors from when I was young. I remember the title of only one book, which was 'The Timber Toes.' I remember it was a family of little wooden people who lived in the woods, and for some reason that stayed with me.

- Sharon Creech

Reason, I Remember, Some, Wooden

Once 'Walk Two Moons' received the Newbery Medal, I decided to write full-time. Partly because there seemed to be an audience out there who wanted to read what I wanted to write, and partly because I could now support myself financially through writing.

- Sharon Creech

Two, Through, Full-Time, Financially

As readers can probably tell from my books, I love the outdoors.

- Sharon Creech

Love, Books, I Love, Outdoors

I once fell 20 feet from a tree, was knocked unconscious, and when I picked myself up and straggled home, my parents thought I was making it up. However, when my brother and I fabricated a story about an encounter with a bear, they believed that! So maybe I learned very early on that fiction was more interesting to listeners!

- Sharon Creech

Feet, Very, However, Encounter

Young children are naturally so philosophical. They ask: 'What is real? What is truth?' They have to learn it; they don't automatically know it. To them, it's a game. You can study this for years in college, and yet you probably asked it when you were four or five years old.

- Sharon Creech

College, Game, Study, Philosophical

Relationships with parents, grandparents, friends, and siblings were important to me when I was young and have remained so throughout my life. Our relationships with other people both shape and reflect who we are. These relationships are infinitely fascinating to explore!

- Sharon Creech

My Life, Other, Infinitely, Sibling

Each child brings so much joy and hope into the world, and that is reason enough for being here. As you grow older, you will contribute something else to this world, and only you can discover what that is.

- Sharon Creech

Reason, Discover, Here, Older

I entered a poem in a poetry contest around 1987, and the poem won and I received $1,000 for it. That made me realize that maybe what I was writing was worth reading to people. After that, for some reason, I turned to novels and I've written mainly novels ever since.

- Sharon Creech

Reason, Some, Turned, Worth Reading

One thing I'm interested in is what shapes us: the people? The place where we live? It's both of those and more. That's what I keep coming back to.

- Sharon Creech

More, Back, One Thing, Shapes

I loved English, and I did very well in it. A lot of teachers encouraged me to write, and because of that, it later made me think it was possible to be a writer.

- Sharon Creech

Think, Made, Very, Encouraged

Every character is asking: 'What's my place? Why am I here? I don't want the answer to be 'Just because.' You find your own purpose. Each finds the reason to be here and how to contribute.

- Sharon Creech

Reason, Asking, Here, Finds

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