D.J. Rosenblum Becomes the G.O.A.T: Chapters 17–22

by Abby White
D.J. is determined to solve the mystery of her beloved older cousin's death, while also trying to grieve her loss and prepare for her own bat mitz­vah.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Prologue–Chapter 5, Chapters 6–10, Chapters 11–16, Chapters 17–22, Chapters 23–29
15 words 12 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. nonplussed
    filled with bewilderment
    Matt seems nonplussed.
  2. tedium
    dullness owing to length or slowness
    In a weird way, I like the tedium of cleaning dishes.
  3. stodgy
    excessively conventional and unimaginative and hence dull
    “I’m serious! That way, even if you have to work, you’ll be someplace less stodgy than an old library.”
  4. dejected
    affected or marked by low spirits
    The goat necklace is frigid. Char and Tori both look dejected. “How’s Matt?”
  5. detente
    the easing of tensions or strained relations
    Engles didn’t let Matt switch to another group for our English final, so we’ve settled into a fragile détente.
  6. apace
    rapidly; in a speedy manner
    So far, besides Matt’s anger, we’re proceeding apace.
  7. wistful
    showing pensive sadness
    Evan’s smile is almost wistful now.
  8. sporadically
    in an irregular or unpredictable manner
    That whole time, I’ve been working on my outline. Sporadically, at least.
  9. pungent
    having a sharp, biting, or caustic quality
    The tension has started to snake through the house like fresh smoke, gray and pungent.
  10. assent
    agreement with a statement or proposal to do something
    Mom offers an eager, if bewildered, assent.
  11. misgiving
    uneasiness about the fitness of an action
    So after a few days, I swallow my misgivings…and DM both Lily and Trent.
  12. placid
    calm and free from disturbance
    Lily nods, placid.
  13. leaden
    made heavy or weighted down with weariness
    One step for every leaden breath I take.
  14. spiel
    artful or slick talk used to persuade
    Engles quiets the class, Tori begins her opening spiel.
  15. substantive
    having a firm basis in reality and therefore important
    “I thought these details fleshed out the depiction of the Community quite well. Did you not consider them substantive?”
Created on Mon Mar 16 09:19:56 EDT 2026 (updated Mon Apr 20 16:58:36 EDT 2026)

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