The Moonlit Vine: Chapters 18–26

by Elizabeth Santiago
Fourteen-year-old Taína (Ty) Perez is overwhelmed by troubles within her family, school, and gang-filled neighborhood, when her dying Puerto Rican grandmother passes down sacred objects that had belonged to their ancestral Taíno leader and warrior.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Prologue–Chapter 7, Chapters 8–17, Chapters 18–26, Chapter 27–Epilogue
35 words 11 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. ruminate
    reflect deeply on a subject
    On Monday, Ty sat in the living room ruminating while Benny and her mother flipped through old photos of their parents on the coffee table, trying to select the perfect ones to share with family and friends in remembrance. Images of her own flashed through Ty’s mind.
  2. fend
    try to manage without help
    When Juan was still a young man, his father passed away, leaving Juan to fend for himself.
  3. sustenance
    a source of food or nourishment
    The hammock we sleep in comes from our people, and the understanding of how the land, trees, sand, water, plants, and soil all work together to give sustenance and life is all ours.
  4. diplomacy
    negotiation between nations
    Anacaona was an excellent diplomat who worked with her oppressors in order to keep her people safe. She was known not only for her diplomacy skills, but also her beauty and talent as a poet, musician, and dancer.
  5. initiate
    set in motion, start an event or prepare the way for
    She naively believed that the Spaniards would be true to their word, so did not expect a war to be initiated by the Spanish.
  6. enthralled
    filled with wonder and delight
    She showed the Spaniards every kindness and is said to have composed areítos, or legendary ballads, that held not only the Taíno people under her spell, but also kept the Spaniards enthralled.
  7. practically
    almost; nearly
    Ty blinked, realizing that she had had her face practically against the screen.
  8. emboss
    raise in a relief
    Ty ran her fingers across the cover to feel the embossed design.
  9. oppressor
    a person of authority who subjects others to undue pressures
    “Yeah, and oppressors usually have power in some way, whether it’s money, position, or weapons of some kind, and they use those things to keep others from getting rich or having status.”
  10. gentrification
    change in poorer areas due to an influx of wealthier people
    Gentrification is what happens when profit-hungry real estate enthusiasts and private developers from outside a community buy up homes and drive up the cost of living—transforming a neighborhood’s racial and economic makeup and forcing poorer residents out of their homes and communities.
  11. moderate
    being within reasonable or average limits
    The new residents are more often moderate- to upper-income White people who often do not preserve, support, or value the community culture or residents that they have uprooted.
  12. remnant
    a small part remaining after the main part no longer exists
    “Slow down! You almost hit me,” Ty yelled through the remnants of exhaust smoke, but the car fled, leaving her standing on the corner clutching the book on Anacaona close to her chest.
  13. gait
    a person's manner of walking
    Ty watched her walk away. She moved swiftly yet slowly at the same time. It was a mechanical gait, no joy but full of purpose, and Ty couldn’t help but think of her parting words, “I guess life goes on.”
  14. immerse
    devote fully to
    They seemed immersed in a discussion and less amused by the sounds the vehicle made.
  15. disoriented
    having lost your bearings
    She sounded so much like Abuela that Ty became a little disoriented and looked away.
  16. intervene
    get involved, so as to alter or hinder an action
    Luis seemed unsure what to do, but Alex intervened, pointing to a bag of M&M’S on the table.
  17. sullen
    showing a brooding ill humor
    Alex had been wordless and sullen.
  18. snide
    expressive of contempt
    Their mother had remained in a foul mood, snapping at them and continually making snide comments about Milagros, Tía Juana, and their father, anticipating their return.
  19. solace
    comfort offered to one who is disappointed or miserable
    No one had been enjoying themselves, so they each had escaped to find solace in solitude.
  20. apprehensive
    in fear or dread of possible evil or harm
    All seemed quiet, so she touched the box, still feeling a little apprehensive about opening it.
  21. delicate
    exquisitely fine and subtle and pleasing
    On the cloth was a faded list of names. She brought the delicate fabric closer to get a better view.
  22. abstract
    existing only in the mind
    Even though her grandmother told her what she would find in the box, it felt more abstract until she saw it for herself.
  23. barge
    push one's way
    “Cuatro, I gotta talk to you,” Alex said, barging into Ty’s room without knocking.
  24. somber
    serious and gloomy in character
    The Perez family was a somber sight. Esmeralda and her children sat quietly in the living room, all engrossed in their own thoughts.
  25. furrow
    make or become wrinkled or creased
    Izzy furrowed her brow. “What’s he sorry for?” she asked.
  26. disheveled
    in disarray; extremely disorderly
    He looked disheveled, like he had been sleeping in the same clothes for days.
  27. deliberate
    unhurried and with care and dignity
    Jayden stood next to Ty, moving his eyes from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet in a slow, deliberate motion.
  28. disengage
    release from something that holds fast or entangles
    “I know, Izzy, I know,” Ty said as she disengaged herself from Izzy’s grip.
  29. inevitable
    incapable of being avoided or prevented
    They hadn’t had a moment alone all day because, after Ty had come back inside to claim her donut, the family had engaged in reminiscing about Abuela and planning for the inevitable funeral tomorrow.
  30. subdued
    quieted and brought under control
    There was the occasional sniffle or subdued cry coming from the mourners, but otherwise it was a respectful and quiet tribute.
  31. mundane
    found in the ordinary course of events
    She felt a weird disassociation from her surroundings, like she had forgotten the mundane reality of being human and become this creature that only felt the emotion around her, and the grief was overwhelming.
  32. plod
    walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
    The two siblings plodded slowly down Denton Street to the park entrance.
  33. amble
    walk leisurely
    The elementary school Luis attended was across the park, and there was usually a bunch of people ambling through it in the mornings to get to the school, so she felt safe enough to do the same.
  34. flinch
    draw back, as with fear or pain
    “Look,” she said, ignoring the frantic beating of her heart, “I have to get to school, so you need to back up.” The words rang loudly in the morning air, but neither of them flinched or obeyed.
  35. scrutinize
    look at critically or searchingly, or in minute detail
    Ty backed slowly away, keeping her eyes on all three of them, all dressed in black, each scrutinizing her every movement.
Created on Wed Sep 11 16:57:07 EDT 2024 (updated Tue Oct 15 15:19:46 EDT 2024)

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