I don't know any excerpts but ultimately if I were you I would focus on the characters. all of the characters appearances affect their overall personality. for example find a quote about Joy. her wooden leg represents how hollow her soul is.
1. they harvest crops together
2.make clothes
3. take care of children
The USS Maine was sunk in the Harbour of Havana, Cuba, during a revolt of the cubans against Spain. Public opinion in the USA was that Spain was to blame. Starting as a diplomatic issue between Spain and USA, rapid escalation resulted in war between the two countries.