Forged by Fire: Chapters 5–15

by Sharon M. Draper
Gerald has faced many tough situations — the imprisonment of his mother, the death of his beloved aunt, and the abuse of his stepfather — but he is determined to make a better life for himself and his sister Angel. Learn these words from the second novel in the Hazelwood High trilogy.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–15, Chapters 16–24

Here are links to our lists for other books by Sharon M. Draper: Tears of a Tiger, Copper Sun, Out of My Mind, Stella by Starlight, Blended
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. coax
    influence or persuade by gentle and persistent urging
    “I made pancakes with maple syrup this morning, for your birthday,” coaxed Aunt Queen.
  2. ordeal
    a severe or trying experience
    He couldn't understand why Aunt Queen would let him go through this ordeal, especially on his birthday.
  3. plaintively
    in a manner expressing sorrow
    “I’m sorry,” Monique sobbed. “I couldn’t help it! I was just so excited about seein’ him. Now I’ve ruined everything! Jordan, what should I do?” Monique asked plaintively.
  4. sullen
    showing a brooding ill humor
    Monique was worried, and Jordan, sullen and angry-looking, made her nervous and unable to sit still.
  5. grudgingly
    in a reluctant manner
    “Yeah, I hear you,” replied Gerald grudgingly.
  6. muse
    reflect deeply on a subject
    I’m gonna have a good talk with Monique when she gets back, mused Queen.
  7. wiry
    lean but strong
    Gerald, tough, brown, and wiry, seemed almost gentle as he helped the fragile, pale child balance on the bicycle.
  8. expressive
    characterized by communicating beliefs or opinions
    Her large, expressive eyes looked at him with absolute adoration.
  9. paramedic
    a person trained to give emergency medical treatment
    As the ambulance screamed into the driveway, Gerald jumped up to rush the paramedics to Aunt Queen.
  10. assess
    estimate the nature, quality, ability or significance of
    The ambulance drivers, dressed in blue, seemed to Gerald to take an awfully long time while they poked and measured and assessed Aunt Queen.
  11. condolence
    an expression of sympathy with another's grief
    “I’m sorry, ma'am. We did all we could. She was gone before she even got here. Please accept my condolences."
  12. hoarse
    deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness
    Gerald, who hoped he had misunderstood, who knew he would die himself without Aunt Queen in his world, said hoarsely, “Is she...is she...dead?"
  13. void
    an empty area or space
    Monique, once again trying to fill the void, but not knowing how, said bluntly, “It looks like this turned out to be a pretty awful birthday for you. I’m really sorry. So I guess you’re gonna come and live with us after all. It’ll be great. You’ll see.”
  14. blunt
    characterized by directness in manner or speech
    Monique, once again trying to fill the void, but not knowing how, said bluntly, “It looks like this turned out to be a pretty awful birthday for you. I’m really sorry. So I guess you’re gonna come and live with us after all. It’ll be great. You’ll see.”
  15. stoop
    sag, bend, bend over or down
    Gerald sighed, and with shoulders stooped, followed Monique to the telephone.
  16. welt
    a raised mark on the skin
    Her legs had been covered with welts and bruises that Jordan had given her, trying, as he put it, to “make her behave.”
  17. scornful
    expressing extreme contempt
    “Yeah, she probably even apologized for Christmas,” said Gerald scornfully.
  18. mystified
    totally perplexed and mixed up
    Mystified, Angel heard the sound of the tools on the metal frame of the small bed.
  19. tawny
    having the color of tanned leather
    Angel opened it, and out popped a tiny ball of tawny fur, which landed in her lap.
  20. hesitant
    unable to act or decide quickly or firmly
    “What about your job?” Monique inquired hesitantly.
  21. poultice
    a medical dressing spread on a cloth and applied to the skin
    He remembered when he got chicken pox how Aunt Queen had made a warm poultice out of something she found in the garden, and the itch had disappeared.
  22. instinctive
    unthinking
    Instinctively she grabbed the covers and pulled them tightly around her.
  23. frantically
    in an uncontrolled manner
    “Don't leave me here with Jordan!” Angel whispered frantically. “Where's my cat?”
  24. grim
    harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
    Gerald watched with a grim smile.
  25. bailiff
    officer of the court employed to execute writs and processes
    Just as the bailiff came into the hall to call them to the courtroom, Mr. Washington turned the corner and strode toward them, smiling.
  26. despicable
    morally reprehensible
    The prosecutor, a round woman dressed all in green, including green fingernails done to match her bright green shoes, began by explaining to the jury what the charges were against Jordan, describing him as “a despicable monster.”
  27. jerky
    marked by abrupt starts and stops
    She walked gracefully; her movements were never quick and jerky like those of some girls her age.
  28. stocky
    having a short and solid form or stature
    At seventeen, Gerald was tough and stocky, with the muscles of a young man who knew hard work.
  29. sash
    a band of material worn around the waist or across the chest
    She was still very pretty, with a tiny waist that looked good in the gold belts and shiny sashes she liked to wear.
  30. unanimous
    in complete agreement
    Rob, who had unanimously been named captain by the team, was tall, skinny, smart, and had the best line with girls that Gerald had ever heard.
  31. seemingly
    from appearances alone
    Andy and Rob breezed through life, collecting friends—and never making judgments about them—with seemingly no problems at all.
  32. slick
    made smooth, as by ice, grease, or water
    An old man with dark brown skin, piercing eyes, and slick gray hair had been watching them from the back of the room.
  33. assert
    state categorically
    “Who you callin’ punk?” B.J. had asserted without fear.
  34. thrive
    make steady progress
    She was thriving on the hard work and sweat and hours of practice.
  35. recital
    performance of music or dance especially by soloists
    They climbed the six flights of stairs easily—laughing and planning for the dance recital.
Created on Wed Oct 24 14:53:13 EDT 2018 (updated Mon Aug 12 09:54:20 EDT 2019)

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