Buffalo Dreamer: Chapters 3–4

by Violet Duncan
Twelve-year-old Summer learns of her grandfather's traumatic childhood suffering because of his indigenous (Cree) heritage. Her family's present happiness and unity within their native community in Alberta, Canada, is a beautiful lesson in resilience, honor, and the healing power of love.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–4, Chapters 5–6, Chapters 7–10, Chapters 11–14, Chapters 15–16, Chapters 17–20, Chapters 21–26, Chapters 27–30
20 words 15 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. alcove
    a small recess opening off a large room or garden
    The air was hot and stale in the alcove where I was hiding.
  2. shudder
    tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
    I’m never going to make it.
    I shuddered at that thought, so I made myself think of home, the songs, the smells, the safety.
  3. reassure
    cause to feel confident
    You are going to make it home, I reassured myself.
  4. coyote
    small wolf native to western North America
    Tap-tap-tap. The sound of clicking heels got louder and louder. Ducking down farther, I prayed.
    I am a coyote’s shadow, I am the wind, you don’t see me.
  5. defiant
    boldly resisting authority or an opposing force
    Every day I hoped to see Ann walk in, shrug, and smile that brave and defiant smile at me.
  6. reclaim
    reassert one's right or title to
    She had stumbled upon her blanket while cleaning the stockroom. It had been stolen from her years earlier when she arrived at the school, and Ann was so happy to reclaim what was taken from her.
  7. slink
    move or walk stealthily
    I could only open it so far before it made that awful screech, and I slinked through the tight space.
  8. infirmary
    a health facility where patients receive treatment
    I traveled through the shadows across the field to find the burlap sack Ann and I had packed and the boots and hat I had taken from the nurse’s infirmary.
  9. jolt
    move or cause to move with a sudden jerky motion
    Now go! They’ll be coming for you soon!
    The thought jolted me, and I raced to the hole in the fence Ann and I had discovered when we made this escape plan.
  10. hazy
    indistinct in outline
    My dream is already turning hazy in my memory, but before I can give it any further thought, I get distracted by a commotion in the small town near the rez that we’re passing through.
  11. distracted
    having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety
    My dream is already turning hazy in my memory, but before I can give it any further thought, I get distracted by a commotion in the small town near the rez that we’re passing through.
  12. commotion
    a disorderly outburst or tumult
    My dream is already turning hazy in my memory, but before I can give it any further thought, I get distracted by a commotion in the small town near the rez that we’re passing through.
  13. convoy
    a procession of land vehicles traveling together
    Ahead I see a convoy of excavation trucks coming toward us and watch them turn onto the nearby side road.
  14. excavation
    the act of digging
    Ahead I see a convoy of excavation trucks coming toward us and watch them turn onto the nearby side road. I feel the ground tremble beneath their weight as the roar of their engines reverberates through the air.
  15. reverberate
    ring or echo with sound
    Ahead I see a convoy of excavation trucks coming toward us and watch them turn onto the nearby side road. I feel the ground tremble beneath their weight as the roar of their engines reverberates through the air.
  16. logo
    a company emblem or device
    Rolling down the window, I lean out and use my phone to videotape it all, and when the convoy is followed by a bunch of vans with different news channel logos painted on their sides, I ask Mom, “What’s all this?”
  17. loom
    appear very large or occupy a commanding position
    At the end of the tree-lined road, I see the huge building looming, and a cold shiver creeps up my spine.
  18. pounce
    move down on as if in an attack
    The school’s darkened windows stare at me like an evil monster about to pounce.
  19. residential
    of or relating to the act of dwelling in a place
    Mosom never talks about his time at the residential school, but Mom has told me it was a horrible place where many bad things happened to Native kids.
  20. chant
    recite with musical intonation
    “We’re almost there! We’re almost there!” Sage starts chanting as we drive back onto the main road. With the car windows still down, I notice the wind making Mom’s hair whip softly around her face, and I hear her start to hum.
Created on Mon Mar 10 20:10:16 EDT 2025 (updated Mon Mar 31 16:42:21 EDT 2025)

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