What qualifies as an important quote from Boy21 is for you to decide. I can identify four quotes that I found important. Hopefully, that will encourage you to find your own.

Quote 1: “Silence has always been my default mode—my best defense against the rest of the world.”

This quote comes as Finley grows increasingly irritated with Russ’s alien identity. He’s also annoyed with his basketball coach. I think it’s important because it underscores how not talking can be a way to deal with issues. Talking aloud can’t always solve everything.

Quote 2: “Alone, in the hospital, I think about how fragile people are, how anyone can disappear in a second and be gone forever.”

This quote comes after Erin breaks her leg. I think it’s important because it reveals how vulnerable and delicate people are. In general society right now, there seems to be a lot of emphasis placed on strength and heroism. Yet deep down, people, like all living creatures, are brittle.

Quote 3: “I’ve found that being blunt sometimes makes life easier for everyone.”

I thought this quote was important because it helps reinforce Finley's candid, straightforward personality. However, I don’t necessarily agree with him. Being blunt seems to make life harder for people, but that's probably why you should be blunt.

Quote 4: “So are we—we’re stories too.”

This is my lone quote from Russ. This is said when Russ and Finely are talking about Harry Potter. Finley tells Russ that Harry Potter is just a story. Russ replies with the above quote. I found it powerful or important because it shows the role storytelling plays in a person’s development of their identity. You can, for the most part, create the identity you want. If you want to be an alien, you can be.