The Pecan Sheller: Chapters 9–13

by Lupe Ruiz-Flores
Her family's financial woes in late 1930s San Antonio, Texas, force 13-year-old Petra to drop out of school and take a job shelling pecans at a factory. Her future seems bleak until she and her coworkers organize and go on strike for better wages and work conditions.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–3, Chapters 4–8, Chapters 9–13, Chapters 14–18, Chapters 19–30
15 words 8 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. sweltering
    excessively hot and humid; marked by sweating and faintness
    Beads of sweat trickled down her face, neck, and chest as she hurried to the public library after Sunday Mass, eager to escape the sweltering heat.
  2. illiterate
    not able to read or write
    She would stare at the same page for long minutes, her brow furrowed. Petra suspected that Ofelia was somewhat illiterate and was trying to improve her reading skills.
  3. sanctuary
    a shelter from danger or hardship
    Books were her life and the library was her sanctuary.
  4. unkempt
    not properly maintained or cared for
    “I don’t,” Petra replied, looking away, embarrassed that she was so unkempt. “It’s dirty and crowded. We work very long hours and hardly get paid anything.”
  5. earthy
    not far removed from or suggestive of nature
    The water hissed and jumped as it hit the ground. The earthy smell, like fresh cucumbers, filled the air.
  6. foundry
    a factory where metal castings are produced
    Carmela wrote that her father had met a friend of a friend who’d offered him a job in one of the car factories’ foundries.
  7. compassion
    a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
    “About that invitation—I still think it’s too soon to go to any quinceañera.”
    The compassion Petra had been feeling for Amá vanished. “Ugh! You always, always say no.”
  8. wistfully
    in a pensively sad manner
    “I said you’re almost fourteen, next year fifteen,” Amá said, gazing wistfully at her. “Your father would’ve wanted you to have a quinceañera. I wish we could do that when you turn fifteen, but we can’t.”
  9. cummerbund
    a broad pleated sash worn at the waist with a tuxedo
    Next, Lydia’s sister’s court of honor walked in, their lemon-colored chiffon dresses flowing as they moved slowly up the aisle alongside their escorts, who wore tuxedoes with yellow cummerbunds.
  10. bodice
    part of a dress above the waist
    Sparkling sequins on the bodices of the dresses shone like drops of sunlight. And their shoes! Petra stared at the yellow satin shoes.
  11. serenade
    sing and play for somebody
    Outside the church, mariachis in silver-studded black charro outfits serenaded Lydia’s sister.
  12. dismissive
    showing indifference or disregard
    But whenever anyone brought up her health, Ofelia was sharply dismissive.
  13. incredulous
    not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
    “What? The library? Are you serious?” Ofelia stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, an incredulous look on her face.
  14. jalopy
    a car that is old and unreliable
    Ofelia followed, still muttering. “You know that broken-down Studebaker my father bought? It’s never run. That money could’ve been used for my wedding instead of that old jalopy.”
  15. roiling
    (of a liquid) agitated vigorously; in a state of turbulence
    Petra felt sick. “What? We didn’t steal anything!” Her knees wobbled. She clutched her roiling stomach.
Created on Wed Mar 18 20:33:52 EDT 2026 (updated Tue May 12 12:15:46 EDT 2026)

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