Half a World Away: Chapters 8–10

by Cynthia Kadohata
Troubled eleven-year-old Jaden and his parents journey to Kazakhstan to adopt a baby.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–7, Chapters 8–10, Chapters 11–14, Chapters 15–18, Chapters 19–21
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. ion
    a particle that is electrically charged positive or negative
    Anyway, inside every living organism were these holes called "ion channels," which allowed only certain atoms and molecules to pass through.
  2. personnel
    group of people willing to obey orders
    So basically, it was only hope that made them believe that their agency's in-country personnel would pick them up in Kyzylorda.
  3. jostle
    come into rough contact with while moving
    She gently jostled the baby in her arms, beaming down at him.
  4. demonstrative
    given to or marked by the open expression of emotion
    "Hi, I'm his mother. He isn't that demonstrative yet. He never laughs or cries."
  5. ravenous
    extremely hungry
    Steve seemed merely curious, but Penni acted ravenous for information, her body leaning slightly forward and her face hyperalert.
  6. vigorously
    in an energetic manner
    Penni and Steve decided to walk around the room for some exercise, but Jaden leaned back in a chair and gnawed vigorously on a straw he'd brought to chew on.
  7. earnest
    characterized by a firm, sincere belief in one's opinions
    The man was Central Asian, with dark, earnest eyes.
  8. pleasantry
    an agreeable or amusing remark
    The woman next to him stood up, and the man smiled politely and opened out his palms. "My flight. I wish you pleasantries on your trip."
  9. rebuke
    censure severely or angrily
    "A child has many items he will need," Akerke said, as if rebuking him.
  10. referral
    a recommendation to consult a professional person or group
    "But...we were already sent a referral for a baby. A specific baby," Steve said.
  11. assertive
    aggressively self-assured
    Then she said with the assertiveness she occasionally pulled out of a hat, "I'm still expecting it."
  12. apropos
    of a suitable, fitting, or pertinent nature
    Apropos of nothing, Sam said to Jaden, "Everything in America is practical. For instance, there are no potholes."
  13. barren
    providing no shelter or sustenance
    Outside the car, the landscape was barren—brown dirt, faded plants, and gray-green bushes and trees.
  14. amble
    walk leisurely
    One time they passed a shepherd with several double-hump camels ambling close to the road.
  15. steppe
    an extensive plain without trees
    The vast steppes were mesmerizing; Jaden lost track of time. He'd read the definition of "steppe" in the dictionary before they left. It meant "a large area of flat, unforested grassland in southeastern Europe or Siberia."
  16. mar
    cause to become imperfect
    Some of the roads Sam drove down were paved; huge sinkholes marred the asphalt.
  17. makeshift
    done or made using whatever is available
    Some homes had missing walls, some had makeshift tin roofs.
  18. glom
    latch or seize upon; take hold of
    He shot a glance at Jaden—he seemed to have glommed on to Jaden.
  19. foyer
    a large entrance or reception room or area
    Several numbered push buttons were on the foyer door.
  20. threshold
    the entrance for passing through a room or building
    Sam stayed at the threshold while the rest of them wandered from room to room.
Created on Thu Apr 02 12:55:32 EDT 2020 (updated Thu Apr 02 13:05:02 EDT 2020)

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