The Secret Library: Chapters 16–23

by Kekla Magoon
With a puzzling map from her beloved grandfather, 11-year-old Dally finds the library of secrets. Here she learns many family secrets, has fantastic adventures, and discovers much more about her own identity.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–6, Chapters 7–15, Chapters 16–23, Chapters 24–39, Chapters 40–54
15 words 7 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. tome
    a large and scholarly book
    She allowed her fingertips to blip blip blip over one spine after another until they landed on a thick hardcover tome, the sort of book that would shake the tabletop no matter how gently you set it down.
  2. finery
    elaborate or showy attire and accessories
    Every shelf and hanging bar was bursting with hats and gowns and suits and finery.
  3. veritable
    being truly so called; real or genuine
    It was the closet to end all closets, a veritable library-within-a-library of clothing and accessories.
  4. briny
    slightly salty
    The scent of the sea was fresh and familiar. Dally sucked in deep breaths, turning her face into the briny wind.
  5. regale
    occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
    One by one, the crew members regaled each other with horrible tales of their past exploits. Ships they’d taken, men they’d fought, destruction they’d caused in one way or another.
  6. exploit
    a notable achievement
    One by one, the crew members regaled each other with horrible tales of their past exploits. Ships they’d taken, men they’d fought, destruction they’d caused in one way or another.
  7. hospitality
    kindness in welcoming guests or strangers
    “Thank you, Captain,” she said softly, breaking the silence. “For your hospitality.”
  8. glean
    collect or gather bit by bit, especially information
    Whenever she could, Dally studied Pete. She hoped to glean as much as she could from him, but there was so much going on that it was difficult to catch a moment to actually speak to him.
  9. helm
    steering mechanism for a vessel
    He was so often up at the helm, either alone or with Eli, and he was invariably quiet over meals and with the group.
  10. invariably
    without change, in every case
    He was so often up at the helm, either alone or with Eli, and he was invariably quiet over meals and with the group.
  11. cardinal
    serving as an essential component
    The cardinal rule of sailing was to rest when you could, because you never knew when the wind might turn and Eli would call for all hands on deck.
  12. forage
    collect or look around for, as food
    “There’s gauze in there as well,” she said.
    Dally foraged and came up with a beige roll and a stack of individually wrapped white squares.
  13. jaunty
    having a cheerful, lively, and self-confident air
    Mr. Horatio made quite the amusing picture, with one half of his trousers missing and a giant bloody bandage on his thigh. The jaunty angle of his hat completed the ensemble.
  14. don
    put on clothes
    Jennacake brought him a pair of loose corduroys from the closet. He donned them over his ruined pants, tipped his hat to the two of them, then limped away toward the door.
  15. innocuous
    not injurious to physical or mental health
    “Will it do any good to suggest we try something more innocuous today?”
Created on Sat Jul 18 15:12:53 EDT 2026 (updated Tue Aug 11 10:51:28 EDT 2026)

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