The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle: Chapters 34–52

by Leslie Connor
Twelve-year-old Mason Buttle is struggling to cope with learning disabilities, bullies, and the sudden death of his friend Benny. When the investigation into Benny's death casts suspicion on Mason himself, he becomes even more determined to uncover the truth.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–20, Chapters 21–33, Chapters 34–52, Chapters 53–74
30 words 12 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. eavesdrop
    listen without the speaker's knowledge
    But I have seen before that she cracks it. Puts her eye or ear to the slot. Eavesdropping is what that is.
  2. stuffy
    lacking fresh air
    She groans. “And I so need some fresh air! Man, close that door for too long and it gets stuffy.” She fans her face.
  3. sash
    a sliding framework that holds the panes in a window
    I try the window. Shayleen is right. It sure is stuck. I turn my face to one side and grip the sash.
  4. adhesive
    a substance that unites or bonds surfaces together
    Calvin thinks we need adhesive.
  5. ember
    a hot, smoldering fragment of wood left from a fire
    I look at the fire before I go. Red embers.
  6. ignoble
    dishonorable in character or purpose
    He says, “Matt, I get how you feel because you’re a basically ignoble kind of kid.”
  7. vouch
    give personal assurance; guarantee
    Calvin says, “I am vouching for him. Mason didn’t let Moonie out. The problem here is that the dog is smart. He knows who he wants to—”
    Calvin stops.
  8. stampede
    run away in a headlong rush
    I make the sound of thunder. Stampeding hooves. I am loud.
  9. cranny
    a small opening or crevice
    He runs around sniffing the corners and crannies of the root cellar.
  10. coincidence
    an accidental event that seems to have been arranged
    First, it was a cool coincidence that we ended up with a shaft here in the root cellar when the Caves of Lascaux have the area called the Shaft.
  11. intriguing
    capable of arousing interest or curiosity
    And the fact that the dead man is in there, and that he’s the only human image at Lascaux. It’s intriguing. From what I read, no one is sure why he’s there.
  12. isolate
    set apart from others
    Ms. Blinny says, “Hmm. Yes. Cafeterias can be isolating. It’s always best to dine with a friend. And you’re right about the crowding. Merrimack has to catch up to itself. This town is full!”
  13. keepsake
    something of sentimental value
    So, I’m making the rocks as reminders. Or keepsakes. Something you can hold in your hand and read over and over again.
  14. periodical
    happening or recurring at regular intervals
    Ms. Blinny says, “Well, stories about Benny run periodically because they are still trying to find out what happened. You know.”
  15. fray
    wear away by rubbing
    She says something about how she just wants a jacket. A faded thing. With fraying threads here and there.
  16. mode
    how something is done or how it happens
    Calvin and I skip the root cellar today. We are free to be visible. Calvin calls this Wednesday mode.
  17. aide
    someone who acts as an assistant
    My grandma gave up her teacher’s aide job at the school.
  18. caw
    utter a cry, characteristic of crows, rooks, or ravens
    I flap my arms and caw at Matt and Lance.
  19. rickety
    inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
    I walk along our rickety porch.
  20. fumble
    feel about uncertainly or blindly
    I fumble for the rope with the knot in it.
  21. racket
    a loud and disturbing noise
    Grandma and Shayleen hear the racket.
  22. joist
    a beam used to support a floor or ceiling
    But Calvin is not beneath our porch. The joists sit there. Bare old bones with no skin on top.
  23. downpour
    a heavy rain
    Weather comes in. A downpour.
  24. raspy
    unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
    He is hard to hear. He is raspy. Like he wants breath and can’t get any.
  25. personnel
    group of people willing to obey orders
    She says, “Emergency personnel only. Clear this area. Please get back!”
  26. extricate
    release from entanglement or difficulty
    He says, “Stay out of the way, Mason. Way out! Extrication is very tricky. Let them assess the situation. Let them work.”
  27. assess
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
    He says, “Stay out of the way, Mason. Way out! Extrication is very tricky. Let them assess the situation. Let them work.”
  28. vibration
    a shaky motion
    Vibrations jiggle the crumbledown.
  29. lurch
    move haltingly and unsteadily
    So she hollers, “Halt! Halt!” The digger lurches. Stops.
  30. lubricate
    make slippery or smooth
    She says, “Are we ready below? The soap will lubricate. He will start to slide.”
Created on Thu Oct 11 13:55:01 EDT 2018 (updated Thu Oct 11 15:41:44 EDT 2018)

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