Zara's Rules for Record-Breaking Fun: Chapters 12–19

by Hena Khan
When a new family moves in across the street, ten-and-three-quarters-year-old Zara Saleem decides that she must break a Guinness World Record to remain queen of her Maryland neighborhood.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–11, Chapters 12–19
30 words 10 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. sympathy
    sharing the feelings of others, especially sorrow or anguish
    “Are you okay?” Naomi asks when we’re alone. She pushes stray curls out of her face, and her eyes are filled with sympathy.
  2. concerto
    a composition for orchestra and a soloist
    Maybe if I was one of those wonder-kids who plays piano concertos at age four, or a super child athlete, it would be easier.
  3. inspiring
    stimulating or exalting to the spirit
    “So, you’re telling me that you’re trying to break a record too?” I challenge.
    “Yeah.” Naomi shrugs. “Why not? You inspired me.”
    “Oh.” I guess I can see how I could be pretty inspiring.
  4. attempt
    earnest and conscientious activity intended to do something
    Soon I’m doubled over, hugging myself and howling with laughter—over this, and all my other sad, failed attempts at record-breaking.
  5. spree
    a brief indulgence of your impulses
    That sets us off on another giggling spree.
  6. challah
    (Judaism) a braided loaf of white bread containing eggs
    “Should we bake a giant challah?”
  7. ponder
    reflect deeply on a subject
    Naomi ponders the question.
  8. scowl
    frown with displeasure
    “I thought you like to make rules,” she says, and scowls.
  9. glower
    look angry or sullen as if to signal disapproval
    I remind myself that Mr. Chapman said I ruled with fairness and grace. But as Jade glowers at me, I can’t help but wonder, was he wrong?
  10. scoff
    laugh at with contempt and derision
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” Jade scoffs.
  11. smirk
    smile in a mocking or condescending way
    “I can’t help it if I’m too good,” Alan says as he smirks, still dancing.
  12. bristle
    react in an offended or angry manner
    I bristle at the mention of Zayd. I’m still angry at him.
  13. trudge
    walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
    I trudge back home and am greeted by a pungent odor and a big commotion in the kitchen.
  14. pungent
    strong and sharp to the sense of taste or smell
    I trudge back home and am greeted by a pungent odor and a big commotion in the kitchen.
  15. commotion
    a disorderly outburst or tumult
    I trudge back home and am greeted by a pungent odor and a big commotion in the kitchen.
  16. wring
    twist and compress, as if in pain or anguish
    “I don’t know how I did that. I never forget!” Naano is wringing her hands and frowning.
  17. stench
    a distinctive odor that is offensively unpleasant
    “Zara, can you please go wash up?” She gives me her You’ve been outside and have that summer stench look.
  18. sly
    marked by skill in deception
    It’s Naano, watching me with a sly smile.
  19. fuss
    an excited state of agitation
    “Zayd is the baby, and he is still learning. The way he doesn’t eat anything with any taste and makes such a fuss. I love my skinny mouse, but he can be...kya kehte hein...a pain in the neck.”
  20. utter
    express in speech
    I giggle at Naano uttering those unexpected last words, which sound extra funny in her accent, even if they are true.
  21. reminisce
    recall the past
    Naano gushes as she reminisces about this most wonderful day.
  22. sitar
    a stringed instrument of India
    “You don’t remember a few years ago when we went to the fairgrounds, where there was a music performance of tabla and sitar, and all those food stalls, and you got those tiny Pakistani flags?”
  23. stall
    a small area set off for special use
    “You don’t remember a few years ago when we went to the fairgrounds, where there was a music performance of tabla and sitar, and all those food stalls, and you got those tiny Pakistani flags?”
  24. naan
    leavened bread baked in a clay oven in India
    I use a piece of naan to poke at the meat covered in gravy on my plate.
  25. nourish
    provide with sustenance
    “He can nourish his mind and body at the same time. I used to read with my meals when I was a student.”
  26. minuscule
    very small
    Zayd takes a minuscule bite of rice and chews as he flips through the pages of the book that’s resting on his lap.
  27. sheepishly
    in a manner showing embarrassment or shame
    “I guess I never read to the end of the book.” Jamal Mamoo smiles sheepishly.
  28. glare
    look at with a fixed or angry gaze
    “I don’t know,” Jamal Mamoo admits.
    I glare at him. This is not helping one bit.
  29. beeline
    the most direct route
    Then he makes a beeline to us, breathless, as the gang gathers on Naomi's lawn.
  30. occur
    come to one's mind
    As I laugh with my new friend, I feel a comforting squeeze in my heart, and it occurs to me that I had nothing to worry about.
Created on Thu Mar 14 17:04:24 EDT 2024 (updated Fri Mar 15 12:32:41 EDT 2024)

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