Privilege Comes in Many Forms

Jenna slumped down onto the ice and put her head in her hands. “I can’t believe we did that,” she said. She looked at Septimus, a horrified expression in her eyes. “Sep, we’ve just killed someone.”

“Yes,” said Septimus simply.

“But that’s awful,” said Jenna. “I…I never thought I would…”

Septimus looked at Jenna, his green eyes serious. “It’s a luxury, Jen,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

Septimus stared at the scraped and bloody snow at his feet. It took him some moments to reply. “I mean…” he began slowly. “I mean that if you go through life and never face a situation where, in order for you to survive, someone else has to die, then you’re lucky. That’s what I mean.”

“That’s terrible, Sep.”

Septimus shrugged. “Sometimes that is how it is. I learned that in the Young Army. It’s either the chief cadet in the wolverine pit, or you.”

Septimus Heap, Book Four: Quest by Angie Sage

Snow is Magic

Jenna and Beetle caught Septimus’s good mood. The gurgling of the stream broke the oppressive silence of the forest, and the yellow glow of the lantern illuminated the frosty snow before them. The combination of snow and lanterns made all three feel happy. For Jenna and Septimus, it reminded them of the time they had spent the Big Freeze together at Aunt Zelda’s—a time they both looked back on with happiness. For Beetle, it recalled Snow Days when he didn’t have to go to school—days full of possibilities when he would wake up to find that snow had completely covered the windows and his mother had lit the lantern and was cooking bacon and eggs over the fire.

Septimus Heap, Book Four: Quest by Angie Sage

Explanations are Optional

Septimus shrugged and said nothing, the ways of Camp Heap rubbing off on him. He was learning from his brothers that you didn’t have to explain yourself if you didn’t want to—and that sometimes, with a witch, it was better not to.

Septimus Heap, Book Four: Quest by Angie Sage

Brief Respite from Trouble

Beetle celebrated his temporary promotion by sitting on his swivel chair and spinning around and around in circles—which was not allowed—while practicing his I’m-in-charge look. For five heady minutes everything had been wonderful—and then it all went wrong.

Septimus Heap, Book Four: Quest by Angie Sage

Different Words For Bravery

Fox: WOLF! You’re heading straight for the cannon!

Wolf: It’s not my fault! I can’t ride a motorcycle!!

Fox: Wow. He really is awfully brave, isn’t he?

Piranha: Well, yes, In Bolivia we have a name for people like that. We call them “idiots.”

The Bad Guys (book 3) by Aaron Blabey

Tough Love

Shark: You both need to stop arguing. It’s starting to really UPSET me…

Snake: Warning, schmorning! Do your worst, you dimwitted Hero wannabe!

Wolf: That’s it!

Shark: Don’t do it, Wolf.

Wolf: Too late!

MUNCH!

Snake: Let me out of here right now!

Marmalade: Hey! Did he just eat the snake?

Shark: Aw, I warned you, Wolf!

MUNCH!

Marmalade: And you just ate the wolf!

Wolf: Shark, what do you think you’re doing?! Spit me out!

Shark: No. Not until you can both learn to be friends.

The Bad Guys (book 3) by Aaron Blabey

Anyone Can Be Mad

Snake: I’ve heard of you! You’re that billionaire mad scientist.

Wolf: Billionaire mad scientist? He’s a guinea pig!

Marmalade: So what?! Just because I’m a guinea pig, I CAN’T BE a billionaire MAD scientist?

Wolf: Oh. Well, no…I supposed you could be…

The Bad Guys (book 3) by Aaron Blabey

Time For A Break

Quote

Amazon.com

The Penthouse is perfect, complete with a view. There’s even a terrace with a pool for the crew. Great job, dogs! Our work is all through. Tomorrow we’re off. There’s a new job to do.

Build, Dogs, Build: A Tall Tail, by James Horvath

Being a Hero is Hard Work

Snake: Hey, Many, can we talk about this for a second?

Wolf: There’s no time to talk! Hold on little buddies. It’s time to go BE A HERO!

SWOOSH! SPLAT!

…Piranha: If we survive this, I’m going to eat that wolf.

Snake: Not if I do first.

The Bad Guys (book 1) by Aaron Blabey