Salt to the Sea: Chapter 65 (Joana)–Chapter 97 (Florian)

by Ruta Sepetys
Through the alternating perspectives of four fictional teens, best-selling author Ruta Sepetys dramatizes the experiences of refugees searching for a safe haven during World War II. Learn key vocabulary from this engrossing historical novel based on a true story.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapter 1 (Joana)–Chapter 33 (Emilia), Chapter 34 (Joana)–Chapter 64 (Alfred), Chapter 65 (Joana)–Chapter 97 (Florian), Chapter 98 (Joana)–Chapter 131 (Emilia), Chapter 132 (Florian)–Author's Note
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. quay
    wharf usually built parallel to the shoreline
    Crates, boxes, luggage, and provisions lined the quays.
  2. bedlam
    a state of extreme confusion and disorder
    Nothing’s organized. It’s bedlam, stupid girl. Grab space where you can and fight for a boarding pass like the rest of us.
  3. meticulous
    marked by precise accordance with details
    Things were chaotic, yes, but the Germans were always organized. Meticulous. They had systems for everything.
  4. refugee
    an exile who flees for safety
    After the priority travelers and military personnel were loaded, the Germans would choose refugees. Women with children would be allowed first. Young single men like myself would not be allowed.
  5. amputee
    someone who has had a limb surgically removed
    “This area will be for limbless soldiers and amputees. But we can't take all of them. Tomorrow, when the ambulance trains arrive, we will examine the wounded. Only soldiers with a strong chance of survival will be embarked.”
  6. unison
    the act of occurring together or simultaneously
    “Shut up, Frick,” they said in unison.
  7. promissory
    relating to a verbal commitment by one person to another
    I reached into my pocket and pulled out her note about the sewing kit. What sort of girl leaves a promissory note in the midst of a bloodbath?
  8. armada
    a large fleet
    There is quite an armada assembled here at the naval base.
  9. conscript
    enroll into service compulsorily
    Others said boys as young as twelve were being conscripted, carrying guns taller than they were.
  10. goodwill
    a disposition to kindness and compassion
    If you wait, they’ll be under your skirt and you’ll be dead. Sorry, but don’t waste your time with some goodwill gesture for a lost Polish kid.
  11. priority
    status established in order of importance or urgency
    “I’m traveling with priority patients,” said the nurse, “including an expectant mother who—”
  12. commotion
    a disorderly outburst or tumult
    A flurry of commotion erupted when the train arrived.
  13. plaintively
    in a manner expressing sorrow
    The poor animal, too weak to even bark, sniffed plaintively at his feet.
  14. emaciated
    very thin, especially from disease or hunger or cold
    On the side of the road, where the earth had been turned by tank treads, an emaciated cow wailed.
  15. conspiratorial
    relating to or characteristic of a secret plot or agreement
    “Oh, yes, Herr Beck. I understand. Yours is a secret mission.” His face glowed with conspiratorial excitement.
  16. commendation
    an official award given as formal public statement
    But if you can assist me with a discreet registration, I will recommend you to Gauleiter Koch for commendation and even—to the Führer.
  17. expectant
    anticipating the birth of a child
    The expectant mother, quite young, with tawdry lipstick, was crying and clinging to the young recruit.
  18. infidel
    a person who does not acknowledge your god
    Amidst the grips of war, the beast of man emerges to conquer the ever-lurking infidel inside.
  19. explicit
    precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable
    Dr. Richter's instructions were explicit: “If you are certain they can survive the voyage, log them for registration. Only if you are certain.”
  20. ransack
    steal goods; take as spoils
    I arrived home to find our front door hanging by one hinge. The house was ransacked.
  21. pilfer
    make off with belongings of others
    They weren’t my papers. They were hers, the Latvian who had lost her life to winter and war on the side of a road. Perhaps she paused to rest and froze to death. What right did I have to pilfer her identity?
  22. contagion
    any disease easily transmitted by contact
    “Is the child ill?” he asked. “We cannot register those with contagion.”
  23. deceased
    dead
    “She’s not sleeping. She’s dead! Officer, this child is deceased.” Alfred peered at the dead baby with studious fascination.
  24. pandemonium
    a state of extreme confusion and disorder
    “No! Please. I can’t leave her here. Don’t take my baby. Please, don’t take my baby!” Pandemonium ensued.
  25. recruit
    a recently enlisted soldier
    l am assisting a young recruit on a very important mission for Gauleiter Koch.
  26. obliterate
    do away with completely, without leaving a trace
    He is the regional Nazi Party leader, second only to Hitler in this area. Koch successfully obliterated Ukraine.
  27. ploy
    a maneuver in a game, conversation, or situation
    But how long could I play this game? A ploy of war both outside and inside.
  28. propaganda
    information that is spread to promote some cause
    Joseph Goebbels, the composer of blustery Nazi propaganda, had been issuing nonsense statements for years.
  29. task
    a specific piece of work required to be done
    Life vests and floats. That was my new assignment. Collect as many life vests and floats as I could find. I was glad of the task
    outside as it would finally give me a chance to visit the movie
    house and the young recruit.
  30. manifest
    a document listing the contents put on a ship or plane
    The pass is blank. It will need to be filled out and also stamped officially for you to board. They will have a complete manifest.
  31. blather
    talk foolishly
    That blathering sailor pushed her to the front of the line.
  32. feign
    make believe with the intent to deceive
    I had to push her, but she finally caught on and feigned contractions, lying on the ground wailing. Then the soldiers wanted to put her on the boat immediately, but she said she wouldn’t go without you, her nurse.
  33. tethered
    confined or restricted with or as if with a rope or chain
    Tethered to the pier around us are many ships of all configurations.
  34. beckon
    summon with a wave, nod, or some other gesture
    Each man can respond only when the finger of bravery curls and beckons him forth. That finger, it beckons me, Hannelore.
  35. stringent
    demanding strict attention to rules and procedures
    Like Hitler, August’s mother believed in a master race. I was Polish, so in her opinion, I was not part of it. Somewhere behind the locked door in my mind, I heard the echo of Erna Kleist’s stringent voice: Not that one. This one is prettier.
  36. aptitude
    inherent ability
    My father was overjoyed when I showed drafting and visual memory aptitude.
  37. affliction
    a cause of great suffering and distress
    Yes, Lore, my main affliction now is simply a malady of eagerness.
  38. toady
    a person who tries to please someone to gain an advantage
    If I boarded early, I could find a place to conceal myself for the voyage. I would get extra sleep. But I would probably need the toady sailor to help me.
  39. pillage
    steal goods; take as spoils
    The Czartoryski Museum in Krakow had been pillaged.
  40. abandoned
    forsaken by owner or inhabitants
    Other stolen pieces were hidden in salt mines, abandoned factories, castle ruins, and the basements of museums. Dr. Lange estimated that over fifty thousand pieces of art would be “reassigned” from Poland to Germany alone.
Created on Wed Jun 07 20:51:54 EDT 2017 (updated Tue Apr 09 14:23:20 EDT 2019)

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