Max Einstein: The Genius Experiment: Chapters 11–21

by James Patterson, Chris Grabenstein
This first book of the series introduces a twelve-year-old homeless orphan who is unsure whether her real name is Maxine Einstein, but her scientific genius is confirmed when she is recruited by the Change Makers Institute to solve the problems that are threatening the planet.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–10, Chapters 11–21, Chapters 22–33, Chapters 34–49, Chapters 50–71
40 words 11 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. memorabilia
    objects that are valued because of their link to historical events or a particular interest
    She missed her books. Her computer. Her Einstein memorabilia.
  2. stifle
    smother or suppress
    She stifled a yawn and asked her inner Einstein one last question.
  3. shaft
    a column of light
    In science, she focused on a dusty shaft of sunlight that streamed through a window and illuminated her desk like a heavenly spotlight.
  4. rote
    memorization by repetition
    She couldn’t stand the idea of being stuck in a seventh-grade classroom, memorizing facts and figures by rote.
  5. complexion
    the coloring of a person's face
    They both had dark hair, interesting eyes, and olive complexions.
  6. leery
    openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
    Charl and Isabl weren’t wearing black suits or skinny black ties but, after her run-in with the officers who yanked her out of NYU, she was a little leery around strange characters she’d never met before.
  7. mercenary
    a person hired to fight for another country than their own
    “They weren’t the law,” said Charl. “They were paid mercenaries, hired by Dr. Zacchaeus Zimm.”
  8. calibrate
    make fine adjustments for optimal measuring
    “The only thing more difficult than getting top grades in college is getting a precisely calibrated C average,” he added, knowingly.
  9. experiential
    of or relating to direct observation or participation
    “You’ll be attending a new school. Very different than any you have ever attended—even NYU.”
    “It’s more experiential,” said Isabl. “You’ll do things. We suspect it will prove much more suitable for a mind such as yours.”
  10. formidable
    inspiring fear or dread
    Mrs. Groober was standing in the Little Angels lobby, her hands firmly planted on her hips. She made a very formidable roadblock.
  11. bearing
    a person's manner or way of conducting himself or herself
    “Have a good evening,” said the stern woman, who had the bearing of a prison warden.
  12. notarize
    authenticate by someone empowered to witness signatures
    You’ll also find the signed and notarized OCFS-4156 and UCS-836 forms on your desk.
  13. careen
    move sideways or in an unsteady way
    “Do you always drive like a maniac?” She shouted because it was the only way to be heard over the roaring engine.
    “Only when necessary,” said Isabl, tugging the steering wheel hard to the right to careen the car around a tight corner.
  14. furrow
    make or become wrinkled or creased
    Dr. Zimm arched an eyebrow that made his forehead furrow all the way up to his cleanly shaved dome.
  15. seethe
    be in an agitated emotional state
    “Is that so?” seethed Dr. Zimm. “Tell me, Mrs. Groober. Do you typically adopt out children to people whose names you do not know?”
  16. rhetorical question
    an inquiry that is not supposed to be answered
    “That was a rhetorical question, Mrs. Groober. Meaning I do not expect or want you to answer it.”
  17. flank
    be located at the sides of something or somebody
    The two men in black suits and sunglasses flanking him inched forward toward the matron.
  18. minion
    a servile or fawning dependent
    His minions had, on a tip from the NYU teaching assistant, picked up Miss Einstein at a college lecture hall.
  19. meager
    deficient in amount or quality or extent
    Her instinct would be to rush back to where she’d been living (or hiding) so she could gather up whatever meager personal belongings she might possess.
  20. skittish
    unpredictably excitable, especially of horses
    He’s a nervous, fidgety type. As skittish as a kitten.
  21. initiate
    set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
    Kindly initiate an appropriate relocation package for Mr. Stark, immediately.
  22. snooty
    overly conceited or arrogant
    “Perhaps. But is it sanitary?” Mr. Weinstock's English accent made him sound super snooty.
  23. genuinely
    in accordance with truth or fact or reality
    “We're taking note of this,” said Charl.
    “Of what?” asked Max, genuinely confused.
  24. protocol
    code of correct conduct
    “We need to be ready to initiate a rapid extraction protocol should any unanticipated company attempt to crash your party,” said Charl.
  25. gallivant
    wander aimlessly in search of pleasure
    A mind such as Miss Einstein’s should not be wasted here, hiding in a horse stable or gallivanting around the country with her ‘family.'
  26. straddle
    sit or stand astride of
    Mr. Weinstock was straddling the motorcycle and strapping on a helmet.
  27. benefactor
    a person who helps people or institutions
    I have the keys to several lovely apartments for your squatter friends to move into this very night. Our benefactor has paid their rent for a full year.
  28. hearty
    showing warm and sincere friendliness
    He gave a hearty wave and puttered off into the night.
  29. galley
    the kitchen area for food preparation on an airliner
    “We’ll be up front in the cockpit,” said Charl.
    “That means the entire cabin is yours,” added Isabl.
    “There’s food and beverages in the galley,” Charl continued.
  30. prototype
    the first functional model of some new design or product
    He wanted to, basically, put a hump in the middle. He theorized it would help the airplane generate lift, the force that pulled the wings up from the earth as air flowed over them. Intrigued, German engineers built a full-size prototype of his idea—a World War I biplane with double “Einstein wings” attached.
  31. endorse
    approve of
    But they were, basically, total strangers—endorsed by another semi-stranger, Mr. Weinstock.
  32. gruff
    blunt and unfriendly or stern
    “Is this the girl?” asked a gruff woman with a thick German accent waiting beside the van. She looked to be fifty-some years old with no-nonsense hair and a stiff military bearing.
  33. pseudonym
    a fake name used to engage in some activity
    Tell me, Miss Einstein—is that a pseudonym? A name you decided to give yourself?
  34. placard
    a sign posted in a public place
    “That sign says Begin South,” said Max, reading a highway placard.
  35. nondescript
    lacking distinct or individual characteristics
    Eventually, after crawling through the rush hour traffic, they arrived at the CMI’s headquarters, which turned out to be a nondescript, all-glass modern building.
  36. discreet
    not easily noticeable
    “The benefactor insists that we keep an extremely low profile,” explained Ms. Kaplan as she tapped a security code on a pad next to the main double doors. There was a very discreet “CMI” etched into their frosted glass.
  37. lilting
    characterized by a buoyant rhythm
    “They’d need to tap into the proper aquifers to lessen the environmental impact,” added a freckled girl with a lilting Irish accent.
  38. holographic
    of or relating to 3D projected images
    A three-dimensional holographic video screen hovered over the circular table.
  39. plethora
    extreme excess
    “The world you children will soon inherit from your parents is plagued by a plethora of problems,” said Ms. Kaplan. “Many of them could threaten the extinction of the human race. Many of them were, of course, created by humans.”
  40. impending
    close in time; about to occur
    “Here at the CMI, we hope to help reverse this spiral of doom,” Ms. Kaplan continued, the graphics in the translucent video dome changing from images of impending disasters to the CMI’s sleek, rotating logo.
Created on Tue Jun 11 16:55:39 EDT 2024 (updated Wed Jun 12 17:12:07 EDT 2024)

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