First Line Quiz—Kid Stuff

Naturally, what you want to know is: If Irving's first line was so terrific—if it's possible that "there was no better beginning to any story than the first sentence of The Mouse Crawling Between the Walls,"—then what other children's stories have memorable first lines?

Time then for another First Line Quiz. I threw in several lobs, so you should be able to get five correct without breaking a sweat.

1. I am Sam.
   
   
2. Kidnapping children is not a good idea.
   
   
3. I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there’s gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard and by mistake I dropped my sweater in the sink while the water was running and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.
   
   
4. There is no lake at Camp Green Lake.
   
   
5. I am commanded to write an account of my days: I am bit by fleas and plagued by family.
   
   
6. Now, the Star-Belly Sneetches had bellies with stars.
   
   
7. The day she was born was the happiest day in her parents’ lives.
   
   
8. At school they say I'm wired bad, or wired mad, or wired sad, or wired glad, depending on my mood and what teacher has ended up with me.
   
   
9. That fool of a fairy Lucinda did not intend to lay a curse on me.
   
   
10. Before Julius was born, Lilly was the best big sister in the world.
    
    
11. It was a dark and stormy night.
    
    
12. Tom woke up, but Tim did not.
    
    
13. Not every thirteen-year-old girl is accused of murder, brought to trial, and found guilty.
    
    
14. I never had a brain until Freak came along and let me borrow his for a while, and that's the truth, the whole truth.
    
    
15. If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book.
    
    
16. Officer Buckle knew more safety tips than anyone else in Napville.
    
    
17. The week before Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were to leave Tenderly, Ohio, for the somewhat more bustling metropolis of Paris, their baby-sitter, who had just returned from far-off climes herself; came down with a mild case of bubonic plague and called tearfully to say she didn't want to spread the buboes around.
    
    
18. If you give a mouse a cookie, he’s going to ask for a glass of milk.
    
    
19. The night Max wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind and another his mother called him “WILD THING!” and Max said, “I’LL EAT YOU UP!” so he was sent to bed without eating anything.
    
    
20. They murdered him.

The books range from picture books to young adult (YA) novels. If you need a hint, ask the nearest four to fourteen-year-old.