"The books are funny and sad, and that's what people respond to"

This quote by Paula Danziger speaks with the power of storytelling. By combining humor and unhappiness, Danziger is suggesting that readers can associate with stories which contain both aspects. It is the combination of these 2 seemingly opposite feelings that resonates with readers and permits them to get in touch with the characters and the story. Danziger is recommending that readers are drawn to stories which contain both humor and sadness due to the fact that they can relate to the characters and the circumstances they remain in. The mix of these two emotions permits readers to feel sorry for the characters and the story, and it is this connection that makes the books so appealing. By integrating humor and unhappiness, Danziger is suggesting that readers can connect to stories that contain both components, and it is this combination that makes the books so powerful.