Drew Leclair Gets a Clue: Chapters 15–21

by Katryn Bury
In this first book of the series, a twelve-year-old girl, named after the fictional detective Nancy Drew, compiles profiles of possible suspects in a case of cyberbullying targeting seventh graders at Oakland's Ella Baker Middle School.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–8, Chapters 9–14, Chapters 15–21, Chapters 22–26
40 words 9 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. induce
    cause to arise
    I sit down and wrap my arms around him tightly—like he used to do when I would get the medicine- induced shakes.
  2. agenda
    a list of matters to be taken up, as at a meeting
    Agenda items for special 10/29 meeting:
    1) Cyberbully issue at EBMS
  3. objective
    the goal intended to be attained
    How did I get wrapped up in the Ella Baker Shade case to the point where I forgot my original objective: to protect DAD?
  4. forge
    make something, usually for a specific function
    Suspect might be pretending to forge a bond with the profiler in order to deflect guilt from herself.
  5. practical
    guided by experience and observation rather than theory
    You're just being practical and looking at every piece of evidence.
  6. sabotage
    a deliberate act of destruction or disruption
    Didn't you read a Nancy Drew book where Nancy suspects her boyfriend, Ned Nickerson, of sabotage?
  7. feat
    a notable achievement
    I wrote out a profile for everyone who could have been the subject of that technology class incident report and everyone I could think of who was a frequent target of bullying, which was no easy feat.
  8. deduce
    conclude by reasoning
    However, after thinking long and hard about whether my allergy medicine could cause “sleep bullying,” I deduced that I’m probably not the perpetrator I’m looking for.
  9. hedge
    avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing
    I’m really bad at starting conversations. "Ummmm,” I hedge.
  10. scrutinize
    look at critically or searchingly, or in minute detail
    Trissa gives me a scrutinizing look.
  11. voluntarily
    out of your own free will
    He didn’t officially get expelled, but Micah was ‘asked to leave voluntarily for violating the charter rules,’ or something.
  12. restraint
    a rule or condition that limits freedom
    I can’t help but notice that, without the restraint of the school’s dress code, Trissa has gone all out.
  13. tart
    a small open pie with a fruit filling
    “Can I have thirty fruit tarts, please?” the woman asks.
  14. sprawl
    sit or lie with one's limbs spread out
    We’re recovering after a long day, sprawled out on our sectional couch.
  15. forensic
    used in the investigation of facts or evidence in court
    "Watching Forensic Files without me?” Dad exclaims in a theatrical tone.
  16. perplexed
    full of difficulty or confusion or bewilderment
    Dad squints at me, perplexed.
  17. wry
    humorously sarcastic or mocking
    Dad’s wry smirk is quick enough that I almost miss it.
  18. confiscate
    take temporary possession of a security by legal authority
    “How many phones have you confiscated today?” Mrs. Jackson is asking Ms. Woodrich in the staff room the next day.
  19. intently
    with strained or eager attention
    As I quietly staple Fall Fest brochures during my TA period, I listen intently to the staff room gossip.
  20. tactic
    a plan for attaining a particular goal
    Holly Reiss still seems like the least likely candidate for the Shade. She doesn’t fit the profile, and one of the meanest posts had been about her. But might that be a tactic to make her seem less guilty?
  21. muster
    summon up, call forth, or bring together
    Shifting from my kneeling position, I sit with my back against the tile wall. I can’t even muster the energy to think about how gross the bathroom floor is.
  22. confront
    present somebody with something, usually to criticize
    There’s no way to confront Johnny now—especially since I’m late to technology class.
  23. resignation
    acceptance of an unpleasant but inevitable situation
    Sighing with resignation, I walk back into the library.
  24. curt
    brief and to the point
    The librarian holds up a finger as if to say just a minute and answers the phone with a curt “Covacha here!”
  25. emblazon
    decorate, adorn, or inscribe with a design
    He closed his book as soon as he saw me, a binder that’s emblazoned with the same image that won him the 6th-Grade Reflections contest.
  26. replica
    copy that is not the original
    The digitally precise black outline doesn’t look like it was done by hand. The teeth are a clean, looped sweep. It’s an almost exact replica of the hooded Badger signature on Ella Baker Shade’s posts!
  27. quaver
    give off unsteady sounds
    “I can’t talk about that yet,” I say, embarrassed to hear my voice quaver.
  28. seamless
    perfectly consistent and coherent
    Everything is coming together so seamlessly it almost doesn’t feel real.
  29. sidle
    move unobtrusively or furtively
    Ethan has sidled up behind me—so close that I wonder if he can see my Google search.
  30. impenetrable
    impossible to understand
    He offers me an impenetrable smile.
  31. determination
    firmness of purpose
    I stare after him with determination, willing my pulse to slow so that I can think like a profiler.
  32. stylized
    using artistic forms and conventions to create effects
    He saw me solve the mystery of the ketchup graffiti last year (Christina and her friends had been writing the stylized “bloody” messages to scare the younger kids).
  33. considerable
    large in number, amount, extent, or degree
    It takes considerable effort not to look at the Obi-Wan Mickey plush with the torn papers underneath.
  34. irrefutable
    impossible to deny or disprove
    Friends, this is why I’ve called you here today. To show you the irrefutable evidence that Ethan Navarez is the Instagram cyberbully known as Ella Baker Shade.
  35. distinct
    easy to perceive; especially clearly outlined
    Also, look at the teeth here. The way the mouth curves up, with four distinct teeth, is identical to the hooded Badger with sunglasses that Ella Baker Shade uses as a signature in posts.
  36. substantial
    having a firm basis in reality and therefore important
    “I believe you. But the evidence still isn't… What’s the word you use?”
    “Solid? Irrefutable? Concrete? Substantial? Beyond a reasonable doubt?” I offer, rattling off all of my crime vocabulary.
  37. pang
    a sudden sharp feeling
    "So, have you suspected me, like, this whole time?” Trissa asks, looking so sad that a pang of guilt tightens around my chest until my breath comes out in a wheeze.
  38. trudge
    walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
    Trudging back to my room, I collapse onto my bed, pulling a pillow under me.
  39. empathy
    understanding and entering into another's feelings
    All through this investigation, they’ve been there. Trissa, relating to each of the victims with empathy and ease. Shrey, having the courage to question Johnny Granday.
  40. caliber
    a degree or grade of excellence or worth
    KNOWN ALIASES: Fatface, Skull Girl, Nancy Drew, Special Agent Drew Leclair (someday)
    VICTIMS:
    1) Shrey, 12: friend, sportsman, nerd, and skilled fartbender.
    2) Trissa Jacobs, 12: friend, comedienne, Jedi knight of the highest caliber.
Created on Wed Nov 15 13:40:48 EST 2023 (updated Thu Nov 16 13:40:18 EST 2023)

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