Rowan of Rin: Chapters 10–13

by Emily Rodda
When the river that supports the village of Rin suddenly runs dry, the villagers' survival is threatened. Rowan, a timid boy, joins a small band of villagers to courageously face their dangerous Mountain and its terrifying Dragon to restore their life-giving water source.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–4, Chapters 5–6, Chapters 7–9, Chapters 10–13
15 words 8 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. haggard
    showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
    "Water," said Allun. He looked haggard.
  2. defiantly
    in a rebellious manner
    "What?" They gaped at him, and he stared back defiantly.
  3. taunt
    a cruel or scornful remark
    At ten years old the taunts of other children are very hard to bear.
  4. scrabble
    grope, scratch, or feel searchingly
    She scrabbled in the shifting sand, trying to rise, while the torch tumbled away from her down the slope, bouncing and turning.
  5. ordeal
    a severe or trying experience
    The idea of creeping into it, without any idea of where he was going or when the ordeal would end, was frightful.
  6. churning
    (of a liquid) agitated vigorously; in a state of turbulence
    His stomach was empty, but it was churning, too, from fear and the bitter water he had swallowed in the black pool.
  7. nightmarish
    extremely alarming
    They crawled and rested, crawled and rested, in a nightmarish pattern that repeated itself over and over again.
  8. hamper
    prevent the progress or free movement of
    Jonn's every move was hampered by the tunnel walls that gripped him.
  9. beckon
    appear inviting
    He pulled himself along, faster and faster, careless of his bleeding hands and aching legs, toward the source of that icy wind and the glimmer of white that beckoned him.
  10. lair
    the place where a wild animal lives
    Fire, water, earth, and air.
    All meet in the Dragon's lair.
  11. compelling
    capable of arousing and holding the attention
    The Dragon was very near. It was watching him. Its flat, snakelike eyes stared into his, compelling him.
  12. croon
    sing softly
    "You have not been eating," he crooned to the Dragon, as if he were talking to Star.
  13. quench
    put out, as of fires, flames, or lights
    The Dragon's eyes flashed. It rose up on its hind legs. It beat its scaly white wings. At last it was free of the terrible pain that had stilled its roar and quenched its fire for so many days.
  14. dislodge
    remove or force from a position previously occupied
    The Dragon threw back its head and again roared its anger. Its soft neck, scratched and torn by its own claws in its efforts to dislodge the choking bone and end the pain, gleamed pale and exposed.
  15. parched
    extremely thirsty
    Water! Her parched throat ached for water.
Created on Fri Oct 17 20:17:20 EDT 2025 (updated Tue Dec 23 12:37:36 EST 2025)

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