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Mac Barnett Quotes

Writer

Mac Barnett, born on August 23, 1982, is an accomplished writer known for his unique style and engaging narratives. His works span across children's literature and adult fiction, renowned for their vivid imagination and emotional depth.

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Famous Mac Barnett Quotes

“This was so unfunny, Steve had to laugh.”

Funny Laugh Unfunny

Book:The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity

Source: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity

“He checked out his surrounding. More books. A drinking fountain. A poster showing a guy slam-dunking a basketball with one hand and holding a book in the other, urging kids to READ! Weird, thought Steve. How can he even see the hoop? ... You see, Steven, Librarians are the most elite, best trained secret force in the United States of America. Probably in the world." "No way." "Yes way." "What about the FBI?" "Featherweights." "The CIA?" Mackintosh snorted. "Don't make me laugh. Those guys can't even dunk a basketball andd read a book at the same time.”

Funny Cia Fbi Librarians

Book:The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity

Source: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity

“A clue! From M!" "Who's M?" "Maybe M is for Mackintosh! Maybe Grabes ans Mackintosh are in cahoots!" "Or maybe M is for Mom. Also, who says 'cahoots'?”

Funny Mom M

Author:Mac Barnett

“Dear Mom, I won't be home this weekend because I'm wanted for treason and I have to clear my name. Also, I took the last Sprite from the fridge. Love, Steve”

Funny Note Sprite

Book:The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity

Source: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity

“I'm not sure we're presenting ourselves as real role models. I don't think literature has ever been a real place for role models.”

Thinking Real Literature Roles Models Not Sure Role Models Presenting

Author:Mac Barnett

“I read The Stinky Cheese Man as an adult. I missed that book when I was a kid. I grew up mostly with books bought at yard sales, picture books from the fifties to 1975, which is really a lucky thing.”

Men Book Kids Grew Lucky Grew Up Adults Cheese Yards Picture Books Stinky Yard Sale

Author:Mac Barnett

“I love those adult writers with the pranking ethos, [Don] DeLillo and [Donald] Barthelme and David Foster Wallace. I don't see any reason not to bring those kinds of influences to bear on books for children.”

Kind Children Book Reason Influence Bears Adults Ethos Children Book

Author:Mac Barnett

“It's a sort of patronizing idea that literature for children has to feature role models of exemplary behavior. I think not only is that bogus, but it leads to really boring books.”

Thinking Children Book Ideas Literature Roles Behavior Models Boring Features Role Models Exemplary Patronizing Boring Books

Author:Mac Barnett

“Kevin Cornell and I have worked together a bunch.”

Together Bunch Kevin

Author:Mac Barnett

“I think the trick of writing a good picture book manuscript is to leave that space for illustration. An illustrated novel can do the same thing.”

Thinking Writing Book Can Do Space Novel Tricks Manuscripts Illustration Picture Books

Author:Mac Barnett

“Pranking is a great way to indicate the underlying absurdities of the world.”

World Way Absurdity

Author:Mac Barnett

“Pranking exposes the truth that underneath this appearance of order is joy, laughter, and disorder.”

Joy Order Laughter Appearance Disorder

Author:Mac Barnett

“Not only is a good prank harmless, but, like a good story, it reveals an essential truth that would otherwise be hidden.”

Stories Essentials Good Story Pranks

Author:Mac Barnett

“We put authors on such a pedestal, and it's a moment that humanizes the whole thing, and lends an absurdity to what otherwise is a "please sit with your hands on your lap" kind of event.”

Kind Whole Moments Hands Events Please Absurdity Lap Pedestal

Author:Mac Barnett

“Every Librarian is a highly trained agent. An expert in intelligence, counterintelligence, Boolean searching, and hand-to-hand combat.”

Hands Agents Experts Combat Librarian Counterintelligence

Book:The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity

Source: The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity

“Danger is the snack food of a true sleuth.”

Danger Snacks

Book:The Ghostwriter Secret

Source: The Ghostwriter Secret

“Too often we tell kids pleasant stories devoid of truth, and stories without truth are not good stories. Our audience deserves more from us.”

Stories Kids Audience Deserve Pleasant Good Story Deserve More

Author:Mac Barnett

“I'd much rather have a book that a few people love intensely than a book that a lot of people like okay.”

People Book Okay

Author:Mac Barnett

About the Author

Born: August 23, 1982
Known for: Writer
Quotes: 18

Books & Sources

The Case of the Case of Mistaken IdentityRelated source material

The Ghostwriter SecretRelated source material

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