It Doesn't Take a Genius: Chapters 10–14

by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Already recognized for his achievements in debate, spelling, essay-writing, science, chess, and dance, thirteen-year-old Emmett Franklin Charles is determined to win a showcase competition at a New York summer camp for talented young artists.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–9, Chapters 10–14, Chapters 15–21, Chapters 22–31, Chapter 32–Epilogue
40 words 7 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. imposing
    impressive in appearance
    “Whoa!” I say as we drive up to an imposing building that looks like a mini version of the White House.
  2. folderol
    nonsense or foolishness
    “It started out as a school,” says TraxlerWexler. “Kind of a fancy one.” He shrugs. “Some people thought those kids needed all this froufrou folderol. In my day, camp was about getting some sun and exercise. Learning to swim.”
  3. discreet
    not easily noticeable
    We go in a giant U, gravel crunching discreetly under the wheels.
  4. casual
    not showing effort or strain
    Luke nods at them and says a casual, “Hey.”
  5. laminate
    cover with a thin sheet of plastic or other material
    He fumbles around for his acceptance letter. Last week I’d asked him if he thought he should laminate it, and he’d looked like he was actually considering that.
  6. elective
    a course that the student can select from among alternatives
    They know Mom’s not here, all you gotta do is get your schedule and pick your electives. There’s not much left because most of the campers already signed up for stuff.
  7. vintage
    out of fashion
    My phone isn’t that old, but compared to this kid’s, it’s a vintage flip-phone.
  8. overwhelming
    very intense
    Registration is a little overwhelming, and because I registered late, a lot of electives are full.
  9. assume
    take to be the case or to be true
    The phone boy strolls over with a man who I assume is his dad.
  10. liminal
    having the nature of a transitional space, phase, or experience
    “The summer is always a time of discovery, you know? It’s like you can take a deep breath because school and all that...um, folderol is over, but you’re also holding your breath in anticipation of what’s to come. It’s an awkward position. A liminal space, if you will.”
  11. diaspora
    the dispersion of something that was originally localized
    You’ll meet kids from the States, the Caribbean, even the Continent. There are kids from eleven states and six countries this year. We represent the Diaspora here at DuBois.
  12. hierarchy
    a series of ordered groupings within a system
    “And, Emmett, don’t worry about being a geek or a nerd here. There’s no popular crowd. No hierarchy, just community.”
  13. directive
    a pronouncement encouraging or banning some activity
    “House meeting downstairs in thirty minutes. I’ll see you down there?”
    “Um, is that a question or a directive?”
  14. dedicated
    devoted to a cause or ideal or purpose
    “I had a bassoon solo dedicated to me last year at my school, and the marching band did a half time salute to my third straight regional debate win.”
  15. dabble
    work with in an amateurish manner
    “I thought you played bassoon,” I say.
    “Yeah, I dabble in English horn. When I want to relax.”
  16. status quo
    the existing state of affairs
    No matter what else is changing, we’re sticking with the status quo when it comes to talking about big things.
  17. ducat
    formerly a gold coin of various European countries
    “Wanda Morgan and her husband were Black millionaires at a time when that was most unusual,” he says.
    “Like it still isn’t?” yells out someone.
    We laugh.
    He smiles. “Good point. But the main thing isn’t how many ducats they had, but what they did with that scrilla.”
  18. inevitable
    incapable of being avoided or prevented
    We collectively cringe at him using slang older than our parents, and he bulldozes on with his speech like it’s inevitable.
  19. multifaceted
    having many aspects
    Our heritage as a people is rich, dynamic, and multifaceted. We have endured great pain and experienced soaring triumphs.
  20. sow
    place seeds in or on the ground for future growth
    You are also here to dig deep. To find the Morgan Mission in you—‘sowing seeds for mutual progress.’
  21. relish
    spicy or savory condiment
    I let my hot dog stay on the grill until it’s black on the outside, just the way I like it, then load it up with mustard, ketchup, and relish.
  22. immerse
    devote fully to
    Then he turns things over to the program coordinator, Ms. Marshall, who talks about this opportunity to immerse ourselves in pursuit of our existing passions, explore new ones, and spend each day nestled in and nurtured by DuBois’s award-winning facilities and staff.
  23. impromptu
    with little or no preparation or forethought
    Some of the musician campers have their instruments with them and start up an impromptu jam session.
  24. futile
    unproductive of success
    The mosquitos seem to congregate around the citronella candles that are supposed to repel them. I’m guessing they’re high-fiving and laughing at our futile attempts to avoid being bitten.
  25. twinge
    a sudden sharp feeling
    Two counselors are taking the covers off rowboats by the lake, and I feel a familiar twinge of wishing I could just know how to swim without actually having to go through the process of learning.
  26. intern
    someone who works for an expert to learn about a job
    “And apparently, they let everybody in now. You look like one of those brownnosers who tries to be an ‘intern.’”
  27. quirky
    strikingly unconventional
    “Oh—you have to call him Mr. Micah McDowell,” says Natasha. “You’ve got to say the whole thing until he gives you permission. He’s... quirky. But he’s a choreography legend.”
  28. convoluted
    highly complex or intricate
    “Soooo back to Superhero Secrets,” Natasha goes on. “You think we’ll be talking about the Marvel Universe?”
    “Uh, they said superhero, not convoluted, overrated drama,” says a girl with a slight British accent.
  29. scoff
    laugh at with contempt and derision
    I never thought about the definition of the word scoff before, but the way a bunch of kids react to that statement seems pretty much on the nose.
  30. legacy
    an applicant with a relative who attended the same school
    “Black excellence, the next generation, blah, blah, blah,” says Natasha. “That’s pretty much the main reason why my parents send me here every summer. I cannot forget I’m a ‘legacy.’”
    I must look confused, because she adds, “My parents went to high school here. They went to prom together.”
  31. antiquated
    so extremely old as seeming to belong to an earlier period
    He leans toward me and loud-whispers, “You see how I worked in dandiprats? I’ve been memorizing words from my Archer's Antiquated Dictionary. Do you think Michelle will be impressed? This is my second year of trying to dazzle her.”
  32. comprehensive
    including all or everything
    “You have a better dictionary than Archer’s?” he asks, worried. “I was assured that it was the most comprehensive source of—”
  33. guillotine
    instrument of execution used for beheading people
    “A type of guillotine was also called a maiden,” says Charles to no one.
  34. subtle
    difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
    “No thanks, I don’t—Oh, OH, YEAH, yeah, okay,” he says, standing and making the least subtle exit ever.
  35. flagitious
    extremely wicked, deeply criminal
    “I have an exact replica of a sixteenth century suit of armor at home. Should I get my mom to send it up here so I can show that flagitious knave that I’m not to be trifled with?”
  36. trifle
    act frivolously
    “I have an exact replica of a sixteenth century suit of armor at home. Should I get my mom to send it up here so I can show that flagitious knave that I’m not to be trifled with?”
  37. flourish
    the act of waving
    “For you, milady...my queen—uh, Michelle,” he says when we get to the table, with a big flourish. A flourish so big that he waves the cup of fifty-fifty right over Michelle’s head and into my stomach.
  38. fleeting
    lasting for a markedly brief time
    I have a fleeting thought: He keeps it real, doesn't he?
  39. insurmountable
    impossible to overcome
    I try to dry myself off as much as possible, but it’s clear that unless I really want to spend the day looking like I’d wet my pants, I have to go change. The distance from my table to the door seems insurmountable.
  40. troupe
    an organization of performers and associated personnel
    “Guys, I appreciate the support, but I’m guessing that a circus troupe looks more natural than this,” I say.
Created on Mon Feb 26 10:14:48 EST 2024 (updated Tue Feb 27 13:01:59 EST 2024)

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