The Red Car to Hollywood: Chapters 13–17

by Jennie Liu
The year is 1924, and 16-year-old Ruby Chan is struggling with the expectations placed on her as a young Chinese American woman. When her relationship with a young white man is revealed and Ruby's father decides to marry her to a Chinese man, Ruby decides to take her life into her own hands.

Here are links to our lists for the book:
Chapters 1–5, Chapters 6–12, Chapters 13–17, Chapters 18–22, Chapters 23–27, Chapters 28–34.
15 words 16 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. dapper
    marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
    On the Thursday afternoon of my third week at Formann’s, a dapper fella in a raglan suit strode onto the elevator.
  2. affable
    diffusing warmth and friendliness
    The men never spoke to me if there were women present, but on occasions when I was in the cab with one man, maybe two, there were affable greetings that invited conversation.
  3. miff
    cause to be annoyed
    His disdain miffed me.
  4. balk
    show unwillingness towards
    Come on now, don’t balk.
  5. seamstress
    someone who makes or mends clothes
    The workroom was in a tizzy as Miss Lacey, the models, and the seamstresses rushed about.
  6. deluge
    an overwhelming number or amount
    I nodded numbly at the deluge of instructions, latching on to do what she does.
  7. pergola
    a framework that supports climbing plants
    I had a clear view of the restaurant space, which was shaded by a white wooden pergola threaded with fake greenery.
  8. promenade
    a leisurely walk, usually in some public place
    By the time I took my second promenade, the women seated around Anna May were craning their necks her way.
  9. boon
    something that is desirable, favorable, or beneficial
    “It would be such a boon to the store,” Mr. Haber said.
  10. conniving
    good at tricking people to get something
    “It does get a little tiring doing the same ol’ thing.” I knew she meant the submissive or conniving female roles that so many in the Chinese community judged her for.
  11. understated
    exhibiting restraint, especially in regards to taste
    “How about one of these? Something not too ornate, since the dress is fairly understated.”
  12. snit
    a state of irritation or annoyance
    He’s in a snit about this new movie.
  13. stole
    a wide shawl or scarf worn around the shoulders
    I’d found images of women wearing snug-fitting cheongsams styled with scarves, stoles, jackets, and flowing robes.
  14. socialite
    one who is well known or prominent in fashionable circles
    “It’s a traditional dress, but the socialites in Shanghai have modernized it by making it tight-fitting, with a slit up the side.”
  15. turnout
    attendance for a particular event or purpose
    “Yes, the show! Wonderful idea, Shanghai Chic. I think it’s going to bring a good turnout.”
Created on Fri Feb 20 06:57:02 EST 2026 (updated Thu Feb 26 16:47:26 EST 2026)

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