A First Time for Everything: List 2

by Dan Santat
In this graphic memoir the author recounts the struggles of middle school and how a three-week European group trip transformed his life in positive ways at the age of thirteen.

This list covers pages 166–309 in the 2023 First Second edition.

Here are links to our lists for the memoir: List 1, List 2
25 words 80 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. insecurity
    the anxiety experienced when feeling vulnerable
    Wait. Let me start over. Sorry, it's not you. *sigh* It's just this thing....
    No, I totally get it. I have insecurities, too.
    You do?
  2. authentic
    not counterfeit or copied
    I don't get it. What are we doing this for?
    For the authentic experience of living in a foreign country. Didn't you read the brochure?
  3. foreign
    relating to another place or part of the world
    I don't get it. What are we doing this for?
    For the authentic experience of living in a foreign country. Didn't you read the brochure?
  4. brochure
    a small booklet with information about a product or service
    I don't get it. What are we doing this for?
    For the authentic experience of living in a foreign country. Didn't you read the brochure?
  5. confident
    having or marked by assurance
    I can't remember the last time I felt confident in myself. The last two years of school have been so difficult for me that I've just stopped talking to most other kids. I'm just afraid I'll get bullied.
  6. bully
    discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner
    I can't remember the last time I felt confident in myself. The last two years of school have been so difficult for me that I've just stopped talking to most other kids. I'm just afraid I'll get bullied.
  7. assessment
    classifying someone or something with respect to its worth
    We are going to split you up into two groups based on your assessment of German. If you're spoken German before, then you will go with Heinrich, and the rest of you will come with me.
  8. starch
    commercial preparation used to stiffen fabrics in laundering
    HAHAHA! These are so stiff!
    Lisa said Helga likes to use lots of starch.
  9. imply
    express or state indirectly
    Sorry. I didn't mean to imply that you guys were bad.
  10. quarrel
    an angry dispute
    Lover's quarrel?
    SHUT UP, AMBER.
    Katie, WAIT!
  11. immature
    childish in behavior or emotional development
    You know, I thought you were a nice guy, but I really just feel sorry for you! You're as pathetic and immature as everyone in that gym!
  12. curfew
    an order that after a certain time activities are prohibited
    It's almost 10. We have to go.
    Yeah, we have a curfew.
  13. pillage
    steal goods; take as spoils
    None of these bikes have any locks on them...
    In America, this entire bike rack would be pillaged and nothing would be left.
  14. invincible
    incapable of being overcome or subdued
    I remember now! I live on the west side of the castle!
    Salzburg.
    1:30 A.M.
    I am 13.
    I am invincible.
  15. lethal
    of an instrument of certain death
    All these karate lessons made me a lethal killing machine. My arms just go wild.
  16. impression
    a vague idea in which some confidence is placed
    You made a good impression on her when you helped her with the sleepwalking.
  17. dread
    be afraid or scared of
    I'm kind of dreading it, actually. I'm not looking forward to high school at all.
  18. character
    attributes that determine one's moral and ethical actions
    All I can say is that when you get to be my age you realize life is full of pain and joy and in the end all those moments shape you into who you are, for better or for worse. The most important factor is how you deal with all those life experiences. That's what defines a person's character.
  19. dwell
    think moodily or anxiously about something
    Now, let's not dwell on the future or the past. Let's just enjoy this amazing view.
  20. savor
    derive or receive pleasure from
    Everyone was savoring the last few remaining days of the trip. And here I was sulking that the best part of my trip was ruined.
  21. sulk
    be in a huff and display one's displeasure
    Everyone was savoring the last few remaining days of the trip. And here I was sulking that the best part of my trip was ruined.
  22. queue
    a line of people or vehicles waiting for something
    These kids probably waited all day in line and got their tickets from the queue.
  23. epic
    very imposing or impressive; surpassing the ordinary
    The fact that you guys snuck into Wimbledon and actually watched a match is EPIC!
  24. rook
    a common bird about the size and color of a crow
    Where am I going? The high rooks call:
    "It's awful fun to be born at all."
  25. amphitheater
    an oval large stadium with tiers of seats
    The Red Hot Chili Peppers are coming to town! They're playing at the Ventura Amphitheater!
Created on Fri Nov 17 12:29:41 EST 2023 (updated Fri Nov 17 13:52:16 EST 2023)

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