The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street: Chapters 1–3

by Karina Yan Glaser
After learning that they are going to be evicted from their Brooklyn home, the five Vanderbeeker children come up with a scheme to convince their landlord to allow them to stay.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–3, Chapters 4–7, Chapters 8–12, Chapters 13–18, Chapter 19–Epilogue
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. sprawl
    sit or lie with one's limbs spread out
    Their pets—a dog named Franz, a cat named George Washington, and a house rabbit named Paganini—sprawled on the carpet, taking afternoon naps in a strip of sunlight.
  2. companionable
    suggestive of friendship or amity; friendly
    The pipes rumbled companionably within the brownstone walls.
  3. encyclopedia
    a reference work containing articles on various topics
    He kicked the backs of his sneakers against the tall stack of ancient encyclopedias he was sitting on.
  4. grim
    filled with melancholy and despondency
    Papa stood up and started pacing the length of the couch. His face was so grim that his ever-present smile creases disappeared.
  5. indignation
    a feeling of righteous anger
    Papa did not bring up the sprinkler incident. Instead he said, “We have to move at the end of the month.”
    The room exploded with indignation.
  6. interject
    speak abruptly, especially as an interruption
    “Kids, it’s no one’s fault,” Mama interjected.
  7. somber
    serious and gloomy in character
    Papa observed the somber faces of his kids. “I’m really sorry about this. I know you love this place. But I promise, this will turn out okay.”
  8. stoop
    small porch or set of steps at the front entrance of a house
    Now consider this: Papa does so much for the building. He keeps the front stoop clean, he rakes leaves, he shovels snow.
  9. muse
    reflect deeply on a subject
    Isa mused. “Wouldn’t it be great if we were able to convince the Beiderman to let us stay? It would be like giving Mama and Papa the most amazing Christmas present ever.”
  10. buffer
    protect from impact
    The northern side of 141st Street was buffered by brownstones standing shoulder to shoulder, as if marching in formation.
  11. rotund
    spherical in shape
    One brownstone was rotund—like a jolly, well-fed grandfather—with a curved facade and decorative curlicues above round, owlish windows.
  12. facade
    the front of a building
    One brownstone was rotund—like a jolly, well-fed grandfather—with a curved facade and decorative curlicues above round, owlish windows.
  13. curlicue
    a round shape formed by a series of concentric circles
    One brownstone was rotund—like a jolly, well-fed grandfather—with a curved facade and decorative curlicues above round, owlish windows.
  14. regal
    belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler
    A few skips down stood a perfectly symmetrical brownstone with a more regal disposition, which stood in direct contrast to its frivolous neighbor, a brownstone with flashy turrets and multicolored shingles that sparkled on sunny days.
  15. disposition
    a natural or acquired habit or characteristic tendency
    A few skips down stood a perfectly symmetrical brownstone with a more regal disposition, which stood in direct contrast to its frivolous neighbor, a brownstone with flashy turrets and multicolored shingles that sparkled on sunny days.
  16. frivolous
    not serious in content, attitude, or behavior
    A few skips down stood a perfectly symmetrical brownstone with a more regal disposition, which stood in direct contrast to its frivolous neighbor, a brownstone with flashy turrets and multicolored shingles that sparkled on sunny days.
  17. turret
    a small tower extending above a building
    A few skips down stood a perfectly symmetrical brownstone with a more regal disposition, which stood in direct contrast to its frivolous neighbor, a brownstone with flashy turrets and multicolored shingles that sparkled on sunny days.
  18. humble
    low or inferior in station or quality
    The Vanderbeekers’ home—a humble red brownstone with a weathervane that spun on windy days—sat in the exact middle of the street.
  19. brainstorm
    try to solve a problem by thinking intensely about it
    Hyacinth was making Operation Beiderman buttons for the kids to wear for their brainstorming sessions.
  20. eclectic
    selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
    As a biracial family, the kids exhibited an eclectic mix of physical characteristics and loved comparing which traits they got from what parent.
  21. nimble
    moving quickly and lightly
    Hyacinth got Mama’s nimble fingers but Papa’s large feet.
  22. apt
    being of striking appropriateness and relevance
    The bird lady was aptly nicknamed; she resembled a crane, with her long, skinny legs and pointy beak nose.
  23. gale
    a strong wind moving 34–40 knots
    In the midst of a nasty gale, he heard Jimmy L yelling at him.
  24. rummage
    search haphazardly
    He scared off a squirrel that was sitting on the lid of the wood bin that held all his stuff; then he opened the lid and rummaged through the contents.
  25. static
    crackling or hissing noise caused by electrical interference
    Oliver heard static; then Jimmy L’s voice came through the device.
  26. notorious
    known widely and usually unfavorably
    “Magic Jay, this is Captain Kidd,” Oliver responded. Magic Jay, Jimmy L’s secret agent name, was riffed from his favorite basketball player, the legendary Magic Johnson. Captain Kidd was taken from the notorious pirate.
  27. paisley
    a fabric with a colorful swirled pattern of curved shapes
    Hyacinth’s yellow paisley dress—her own creation—was made from an old pillowcase with holes cut out for her arms and head.
  28. amble
    walk leisurely
    When Franz ambled by, Hyacinth took out a piece of green ribbon and draped it over him.
  29. bleak
    offering little or no hope
    Hyacinth’s bleak mood was interrupted by Franz’s happy yowl, followed by the sound of the mail slot opening and a stack of envelopes and magazines dropping onto the floor.
  30. sanction
    approve or show acceptance of
    Mr. Jones wore a few accessories not sanctioned by the USPS.
  31. foyer
    a large entrance or reception room or area
    At that exact moment, Mama skidded into the foyer holding a bag.
  32. stout
    fairly large
    Laney—the youngest Vanderbeeker—had transformed into her alter ego, Panda-Laney. A furry white coat was draped over her stout body and she was crawling around, keeping her mama company in the kitchen.
  33. etude
    a short, technical composition for a solo instrument
    Her violin was cradled on her shoulder and she was zipping through various etudes—short study pieces her music teacher insisted she practice every day.
  34. disheveled
    in disarray; extremely disorderly
    Mama walked by and ruffled Jessie’s already disheveled hair.
  35. flourish
    a showy gesture
    Isa shrugged, then began playing “Csárdás” by Vittorio Monti, moving through to the end of the piece and striking the last note with a flourish of her bow.
  36. rendition
    a performance of a musical composition or a dramatic role
    Papa took off his coat and hung it up next to the door, then walked across the kitchen to the basement door. “Brava!” he called down to Isa. “A perfect rendition of ‘Csárdás’! Excellent emotional interpretation! Amazing dynamics!”
  37. torrent
    an overwhelming number or amount
    Laney collapsed in a torrent of giggles, and Papa swung her off his shoulders and to the ground.
  38. devoid
    completely wanting or lacking
    Isa played a mournful tune on her violin, and the brownstone was devoid of the bustle and laughter typical of the Vanderbeeker household.
  39. bustle
    a rapid active commotion
    Isa played a mournful tune on her violin, and the brownstone was devoid of the bustle and laughter typical of the Vanderbeeker household.
  40. melancholy
    a feeling of thoughtful sadness
    Papa’s smile didn’t change the melancholy in his eyes as he reached up to put his hand over hers.
Created on Thu Nov 07 19:58:22 EST 2019 (updated Thu Nov 14 16:14:22 EST 2019)

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