Half a World Away: Chapters 11–14

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. intrigue
    cause to be interested or curious
    The camel started to come directly toward Jaden as if intrigued by him.
  2. precedence
    status established in order of importance or urgency
    He felt panic rising up in him, but it was quickly replaced by something else: He was hungry, and that took precedence, as always.
  3. infuse
    fill, as with a certain quality
    Near a music stand, a man as old as Sam was dancing to some Kazakh music that sounded like it'd been infused with a hip-hop beat.
  4. spry
    moving quickly and lightly
    The old man was pretty spry and kept the beat with his feet very well.
  5. saunter
    walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
    She called out "Arystan," and a young man with slicked-back hair sauntered up.
  6. converse
    carry on a discussion
    "We wanted to converse first about our referral. Are you sure Bahytzhan has been adopted? We were specifically told we had a referral for a specific baby. We gave his information and picture to a doctor in America to approve. That's who we came for...whom."
  7. beret
    a soft cap with no brim or bill
    This baby was also bundled up, and he or she was wearing a beret.
  8. formality
    a requirement of etiquette or custom
    Penni started to speak, but then the woman took the baby out of the office without talking to Akerke, as if bringing that baby in was just a formality.
  9. determination
    the act of finding out the properties of something
    Steve stuck out his lower jaw with determination. "Then we have to decide before this gets even worse."
  10. languish
    lose vigor, health, or flesh, as through grief
    How was that fair when Jaden had languished in group homes for four years?
  11. autism
    a condition involving social and communication difficulties
    "It's really, really surprised. We thought we were coming for Bahytzhan. And this baby, he's so unresponsive. Isn't that a sign of autism?"
  12. partiality
    a predisposition to like something
    Steve touched her arm. "Now, wait a minute, Pen. I like him the best. I'm experiencing some partiality toward this one."
  13. paradoxical
    seemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true
    "The paradoxical aspect of this experience is that the overpowering propensity is to be emotional, and yet we must also be detached and businesslike. Upon suspending one's emotions, one finds that Ramazan is indeed the correct baby."
  14. propensity
    a natural inclination
    "The paradoxical aspect of this experience is that the overpowering propensity is to be emotional, and yet we must also be detached and businesslike. Upon suspending one's emotions, one finds that Ramazan is indeed the correct baby."
  15. appease
    cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
    Akerke and the director spoke to each other, the director's voice growing angry. Akerke replied in a soothing voice, talking and talking. Finally the director smiled slightly, apparently appeased.
  16. ecstatic
    feeling great rapture or delight
    Akerke alone seemed ecstatic.
  17. foliage
    the collective amount of leaves of one or more plants
    The Syr Darya was not very wide and was pretty tame, flowing slowly. Dry grass and grayish-green foliage lined the area next to it.
  18. dilapidated
    in a state of decay, ruin, or deterioration
    Jaden thought the river area was beautiful in a barren, dilapidated, run-down sort of way.
  19. extrude
    form or shape by forcing through an opening
    The camel made a spitting noise, and a big hunk of pink skin was extruded from its mouth, just hanging there.
  20. lope
    run easily
    He clumsily loped to Jaden even as the caretaker called to him.
Created on Thu Apr 02 12:55:43 EDT 2020 (updated Thu Apr 02 13:07:46 EDT 2020)

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