Flying Lessons & Other Stories: "Secret Samantha" by Tim Federle

by Ellen Oh
This collection, edited by We Need Diverse Books founder Ellen Oh, features short stories by popular writers of middle grade and young adult fiction.

Here are links to our lists for the anthology: How to Transform…; The Difficult Path; Sol Painting, Inc.; Secret Samantha; The Beans and Rice Chronicles of Isaiah Dunn; Choctaw Bigfoot, Midnight in the Mountains; Main Street; Flying Lessons; Seventy-Six Dollars and Forty-Nine Cents; Sometimes a Dream Needs a Push
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. linoleum
    a floor covering made from linseed oil, cork, and resin
    Her pink heels shriek against the waxed linoleum.
  2. peppy
    marked by lively action or high spirits
    "Yes, thank you, Miss Santos," Miss Lee says, pausing before continuing her peppy explanation. Peppy would be a good elf name for Miss Lee.
  3. liability
    something that holds you back
    When Henry's got a secret to keep, he looks like he has to pee. Frankly, it's a liability.
  4. quirky
    strikingly unconventional
    "What about this, Sammy?" she says, holding up a mini makeup kit that's right by the front of this quirky pop-up shop.
  5. origami
    the art of folding paper
    I write, To Blade! From, GUESS WHO, and I fold the card into an origami rabbit (my specialty), which reminds me that I have to feed Sir Hop-a-Lot.
  6. raspy
    unpleasantly harsh or grating in sound
    I tape the mood ring to Abby's locker, but when I back away I hear a raspy California voice say, “You are sneaky."
  7. clique
    an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
    And forget the other girls—they are a giant clique.
  8. commission
    charge with a task
    At lunch I commission Henry to wipe Cheeto crumbs across a crisp white piece of paper that I "borrowed" from the librarian's printer.
  9. impromptu
    with little or no preparation or forethought
    Henry wishes me luck, and we have an impromptu burping contest.
  10. makeshift
    done or made using whatever is available
    Just as she finishes triple-knotting the makeshift bracelet, I reach out and help her.
Created on Wed Aug 05 11:32:43 EDT 2020 (updated Thu Feb 04 09:38:40 EST 2021)

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