White Smoke: Chapters 6–11

by Tiffany D. Jackson
After moving to a small town in the Midwest, high school track star Marigold discovers that she's living in a haunted house in a new town full of dark secrets.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Preface–Chapter 5, Chapters 6–11, Chapters 12–18, Chapters 19–26
40 words 11 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. staggering
    so surprisingly impressive as to stun or overwhelm
    My spine cracks in my ear, neck muscles bulging as I let out a staggering exhale.
  2. unwarranted
    incapable of being justified or explained
    It’s rare that we fight—at best we just avoid confrontation, letting steam blow over. Okay, so maybe asking her to commit a federal crime is a bit too much, but...her annoyance is unwarranted.
  3. backslide
    return to a lower level, as in one's morals or standards
    “Tamara, I need this. It’s better than any other alternatives. Do you really want me to backslide? After everything that’s happened?”
  4. faze
    disturb the composure of
    The divorce wasn’t nasty; they were friends before and worked better that way, so his absence didn’t faze me much.
  5. transfixed
    having your attention fixated as though witchcraft
    Sammy, sitting on the sofa, stares transfixed at the TV.
  6. seethe
    be in an agitated emotional state
    “No,” she seethes. “Ms. Suga doesn’t like bird food.”
  7. shroud
    form a cover like a burial garment
    219 Maple Street is the only vacant house on our block that seems to have a decent roof that won’t cave when you throw a rock at it, a secluded backyard shrouded by tall trees, and most of its windows still intact.
  8. riddle
    spread or diffuse through
    The room is riddled with chips of plaster and dry caked mud.
  9. germinate
    cause to grow or sprout
    Almost broke my back sneaking across the street with the two bags of plant food Yusef gave me, blending it in with the rest of the trash until I was ready to use it. Germinating the seeds under my bed was risky, considering how nosy Buddy can be.
  10. ornate
    marked by complexity and richness of detail
    A cracked ornate mirror sits above the fireplace, and despite the chipping white paint and thick dust, I recognize the same intricate mantel, like the one in our house with the strange family crest.
  11. salve
    a preparation applied externally as a soothing remedy
    “Upstairs, under the bathroom sink, grab the salve ointment. I’ll cut up some wraps.”
  12. unnerve
    disturb the composure of
    For a moment, Piper appears unnerved before she quickly straightens, brushing back her hair, eyes going cold.
  13. pariah
    a person who is rejected from society or home
    I’m used to being a social pariah.
  14. indignant
    angered at something unjust or wrong
    Indignant, Mom steps into her line of sight.
  15. leper
    a pariah who is avoided by others
    Piper, it’s bad enough the whole neighborhood acts like we’re lepers, now you want them to think we’re unfit parents too?
  16. falter
    be or become weak, unsteady, or uncertain
    Piper falters, pointing out the window.
  17. sage
    aromatic fresh or dried gray-green leaves used as seasoning
    A puff of thick white smoke halos the burning sage as I wave it around my room. My guru always says when used properly, sage can help to cleanse the energy of a place.
  18. devoid
    completely wanting or lacking
    She doesn’t acknowledge us, just stares at the house, face devoid of emotions.
  19. emphatically
    in a forceful manner; with emphasis
    “May I present Marigold, Sammy—”
    “And my Piper,” Alec adds emphatically, and I have to resist rolling my eyes.
  20. wholesome
    characteristic of physical or moral well-being
    The hope is to incentivize nice wholesome families, like yours, to move into this area and help change our image so that more people will be willing to consider making Cedarville their home.
  21. lien
    the right to take and hold the property of a debtor
    “Maybe running away from mortgages or property liens,” he laughs.
  22. procure
    get by special effort
    “We’ve procured a number of foreclosed homes, yes.”
  23. strew
    spread by scattering
    Yusef and I team up to comb through the perimeter with trash bags and sticks. But I’m already regretting it. Because a few yards away, I can see a moldy queen-sized mattress in the rubble- strewn field. An oasis for bedbugs.
  24. uncanny
    surpassing the ordinary or normal
    Microscopic organisms with the uncanny ability to wreak havoc on your life.
  25. deliverance
    recovery or preservation from loss or danger
    “And when you plant your seeds, you will start seeing miraculous deliverance. Thousands of dollars transfer into your account, cure from disease and sickness...those who cannot walk, will walk again once more!”
  26. sow
    place seeds in or on the ground for future growth
    “You will always harvest what you plant if the Lord wills. As you sow, so shall you reap. Those who do not follow the Lord's will, will reap what they sow and burn in a fiery hell."
  27. coy
    affectedly shy especially in a playful or provocative way
    I don’t know why she’s acting all coy around these people. She’s the one who raised me to ask questions, be curious, and speak my mind.
  28. schematic
    diagram of an electrical or mechanical system
    “They have all the old schematics of the neighborhoods in Cedarville. Look, here’s Maplewood.”
  29. endeavor
    a purposeful or industrious undertaking
    We’ve made some significant progress over the years with our endeavors, including our newest program, the Grow Where You’re Planted Residency.
  30. venture
    a commercial undertaking that risks a loss
    “That’s why I am pleased to announce the To the Future Campaign, a venture spearheaded by our foundation in conjunction with our esteemed investors, to bring Cedarville back to its former glory with a brand-new look.”
  31. esteemed
    having an illustrious reputation; respected
    “That’s why I am pleased to announce the To the Future Campaign, a venture spearheaded by our foundation in conjunction with our esteemed investors, to bring Cedarville back to its former glory with a brand-new look.”
  32. render
    show in, or as in, a picture
    The screen zooms and flies into the “new” Cedarville animation rendering, featuring lush trees, deluxe townhomes, and happy animated citizens.
  33. gingerly
    in a manner marked by extreme care or delicacy
    We gingerly make our way through the rubble, glass crunching under our shoes.
  34. shambles
    a condition of great disorder
    I’m surprised to see it still hanging unharmed while the rest of the house is in shambles.
  35. canvass
    consider in detail in order to discover essential features
    Except for that weird truck I keep seeing late at night. Maybe it’s canvassing the place.
  36. shingle
    building material used as siding or roofing
    I take a swig of the crisp ginger ale and glance back at Erika’s house, its white shingles dripping off the side, rips in the screen door, an old fridge turned sideways in the dead grass.
  37. blanch
    turn pale, as if in fear
    “Sterling Laws?” I blanch.
  38. corral
    collect or gather
    Your whole world flipped, seeing your family and friends corralled into prison, practically kidnapped...
  39. waffle
    pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
    “Um, I’m not sure,” I waffle.
  40. bile
    a digestive juice secreted by the liver
    She was in my room, touching my things, pretending to be me…bile rises to my throat.
Created on Mon Apr 04 09:56:52 EDT 2022 (updated Mon Apr 11 08:41:07 EDT 2022)

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