Sparrow: Chapters 23–32

by Sarah Moon
When a beloved teacher unexpectedly dies, Sparrow Cooke wishes she could just fly away. Through music, Sparrow finds a way to cope with her loneliness and social anxiety.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–10, Chapters 11–16, Chapters 17–22, Chapters 23–32
30 words 9 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. ruse
    a deceptive maneuver, especially to avoid capture
    “The shaved head’s just a ruse,” she adds.
  2. intricate
    having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
    They run to each other, hug, do a chest bump, and then go into an intricate handshake.
  3. scamper
    run or move about quickly or lightly
    They scamper out of the room holding hands.
  4. omen
    a sign of a thing about to happen
    At least the building is named for music I like; maybe it’s a good omen. I’ll take what I can get right now.
  5. grit
    fortitude and determination
    I like the ones on the rock-and-roll sheet—words like heart and grit and power.
  6. fret
    bar of metal across the fingerboard of a musical instrument
    Today I will learn about frets and strings and how to turn on an amp.
  7. warily
    in a manner marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
    Spike, Tanasia, Lara, and I all eye each other warily as we head to our table.
  8. horde
    a vast multitude
    Spike doesn’t even go back to our dorm; she’s too busy with her hordes of friends, so I have the room to myself.
  9. strew
    spread by scattering
    Between two scraggly bushes is a bench with cigarettes strewn on the ground. This must be where the counselors come to smoke so we won’t see them.
  10. harmony
    the structure of music with respect to composition of chords
    I apologize to Dr. Katz in my head, but there’s no way I’m brushing my teeth and taking a shower and doing harmony on a screeching rendition of a Blondie song.
  11. rendition
    a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role
    I apologize to Dr. Katz in my head, but there’s no way I’m brushing my teeth and taking a shower and doing harmony on a screeching rendition of a Blondie song.
  12. hesitant
    unable to act or decide quickly or firmly
    “Hey, first-timer,” she says.
    “Yeah?” I ask hesitantly.
    “Time for the Hall Sing.”
  13. concoct
    prepare or cook by mixing ingredients
    Spike concocts what looks like a gourmet meal out of the regular offerings of the cafeteria.
  14. dabble
    work with in an amateurish manner
    “You’re like a gourmet cook,” says Lara when she sits down.
    “I dabble,” says Spike.
  15. callus
    a skin area that is thick or hard from continual pressure
    I stand in the corner with my back to the door and I play “Q.U.E.E.N.” until my hands are tired and there are lines on my fingers where I've been pressing the same strings over and over. The beginnings of calluses.
  16. flub
    blunder; make a mess of something
    The first time through the bridge, I totally flub it.
  17. inflection
    the patterns of stress and intonation in a language
    I hear I ask a question like this, and Tanasia has taken the mic. She has more than taken it. She’s spitting the rap right into it, not missing a beat, an inflection, a single word. It’s perfect.
  18. coax
    influence or persuade by gentle and persistent urging
    “We’ll get there,” Ren says. We all stare at each other blankly. “Ideas?” she coaxes. More blank stares.
  19. almanac
    an annual publication arranged according to the calendar
    “It’s a bird. It’s this little bird with a skinny neck and a big body. They’re not found in the U.S. except for southernmost Texas; they’re mostly consumed for food and they reside in Central America and—”
    “Wow, you’re like a bird almanac!” says Lara.
  20. unanimous
    in complete agreement
    “It’s unanimous, then—congratulations, Boom Chachalacas. You can start making your band posters this afternoon.”
  21. reckless
    marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
    “I’m feeling restless, reckless, like flying up at night and never coming down.”
  22. primal
    having existed from the beginning
    That night, Ty checks us in and then tells us to go outside. We all look confused. “It’s a ritual,” he says. “The night before the big show, we go have primal scream to get all the nerves out.”
  23. sarcasm
    witty language used to convey insults or scorn
    “I don’t have a Tanasia. I have stupid boys who spit on me when I’m walking down the stairs. I have girls who leave the locker room when I walk in it. And if I’m really lucky, I’ll have Derek again this year.” Her voice is dripping with sarcasm.
  24. intervene
    get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action
    “Did you complain?”
    “I did. They told me that if it were true, a teacher would intervene. It just sucks.” Spike looks defeated.
  25. hoarse
    deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness
    “Whoa, Spike, your voice is so hoarse. Let’s get you some water.” We get up and go into the bathroom and brush our teeth.
  26. a cappella
    without musical accompaniment
    This morning, Ty has us sing a cappella.
  27. audible
    heard or perceptible by the ear
    She doesn’t need to tell me the news, it’s in her voice—the voice that has gone from froggy to hoarse to barely audible just in the course of the hour we’ve been up.
  28. indifferent
    showing no care or concern in attitude or action
    I pull up my hood and lie down on the pine needles. I’m waiting. For what? Birds? I guess. I watch them hopping from branch to branch above me, indifferent.
  29. makeshift
    done or made using whatever is available
    She passes me my makeshift tuxedo, and before I know it, Ren is passing me the bass with one hand, and pushing me onstage with the other.
  30. panoramic
    as from an altitude or distance
    I sit across from her like we do in the office, here in our new office with the panoramic views.
Created on Wed Mar 27 20:48:25 EDT 2019 (updated Thu Apr 04 14:41:43 EDT 2019)

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