This Book Won't Burn: Chapters 13-22

by Samira Ahmed
After her father leaves her family, high school senior Noor Khan moves from Chicago to a small town, where she starts a movement to challenge the prejudiced book bans she finds at her new school.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1-12, Chapters 13-22, Chapters 23-30, Chapters 31-42, Chapter 43-Epilogue
15 words 24 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. dissent
    a difference of opinion
    Carter runs this place like a tiny dictator trying to crush any voice of dissent.
  2. incredulous
    not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
    “You’re totally right, Faiz.”
    ...
    “I am?”
    “He is?” Juniper asks at the same time, incredulous.
  3. lucid
    having a clear mind
    “She seems extremely lucid and intelligent.”
  4. curate
    select and present content or information
    Everything about him feels curated—as if he’s a living social media post. Even the way he leans his body against the building, angled with the perfect amount of slouch and disdain for the world
  5. ire
    anger; irritability
    Faiz smiles wide, no trace of his earlier ire at Andrew.
  6. automaton
    someone who acts or responds in a mechanical way
    “Challenged books aren’t a new thing in America. Stomping out ideas. Forcing us all to think in one way, like we’re automatons...”
  7. oblivious
    lacking conscious awareness of
    “It’s not the most welcoming situation for Muslims—especially the only ones in town. Or for Indians, you know, who eat weird, smelly food.” I try to say this in a way that feels pointed and accusatory, but it sails right by Andrew, which means I’m either losing the power of my snark or he’s oblivious. Both dismal possibilities.
  8. futile
    unproductive of success
    “I have gym,” I say—a futile attempt to get out of this conversation.
  9. non sequitur
    a reply that has no relevance to what preceded it
    How...would I have known that and is this non sequitur supposed to be interesting?
  10. embellish
    add details to
    Adults are always sharing weird, probably embellished stories from their childhood to impart some kind of magical wisdom.
  11. resolute
    firm in purpose or belief
    “With respect, all politics are identity politics. And I’d like to have my union rep present for any further discussion regarding—” Ms. Clayton’s resolute response is interrupted by the bell ringing.
  12. mellifluous
    pleasing to the ear
    His eyes were piercing, and he responded in this mellifluous Urdu when I spoke to him with my terrible broken accent.
  13. haggle
    wrangle, as over a price or terms of an agreement
    His smile was wide and sincere, and I begged my dad to not haggle with him over the shawl. Everyone haggles in India.
  14. chastise
    scold or criticize severely
    I squeeze my eyes shut. I won’t let a fatherly figment of my imagination judge me. Who is he to chastise my choices, anyway?
  15. de-escalate
    reduce the level or intensity or size or scope of
    My dad would say I need to de-escalate.
Created on Wed Jul 30 08:12:07 EDT 2025 (updated Tue Aug 26 18:54:04 EDT 2025)

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