Figurative Language

“Mom always says to me that things are never black and white.”

This is an example of an idiom. The words black and white on their own have different meanings, but together these words create an expression we understand. It means that sometimes things aren’t clear. There are a lot of things in the book that aren’t really clear because it’s a fantasy and magic makes things happen.

“I don't want you to catch a cold.”

This is an example of hyperbole as it’s not meant to be taken literally. You can’t actually catch it in your hands. It appears in the book when one friend says it to another. It doesn’t have any real impact on the story creatively but it’s something we say all the time.