Drew Leclair Gets a Clue: Chapters 1–4

by Katryn Bury
In this first book of the series, a twelve-year-old girl, named after the fictional detective Nancy Drew, compiles profiles of possible suspects in a case of cyberbullying targeting seventh graders at Oakland's Ella Baker Middle School.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–8, Chapters 9–14, Chapters 15–21, Chapters 22–26
40 words 105 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. yurt
    a circular domed dwelling that is portable
    A mom who is actually sad about leaving wouldn’t be leaving. And they certainly wouldn’t be abandoning their family to live in a yurt in Kauai with their new boyfriend.
  2. turbulence
    instability in the atmosphere
    “Have a safe flight.”
    Because I don’t want her to get into a plane crash or anything. But I do hope there’s lots of turbulence. And a really smelly guy sitting next to her.
  3. notorious
    known widely and usually unfavorably
    Lita Miyamoto’s account of catching a notorious local murderer, the Junipero Valley Killer, is both a how-to criminal profiling guide and my favorite book of all time.
  4. renowned
    widely known and esteemed
    But I’m reading In the Shadow of a Killer again, and I have to practice profiling if I want to be a world- renowned criminologist like Lita.
  5. retort
    answer back
    “Look, I won’t tell you to stop. Only, try not to think of your mom as a villain. She isn’t the Junipero Valley Killer.”
    I almost retort that Mom has many similar traits to the Junipero Valley Killer, but something in Dad’s expression stops me.
  6. accomplice
    a person who joins with another in carrying out some plan
    OFFENDER PROFILE
    NAME: Jennifer Leclair
    AGE: 38 RACE: White
    EYES: Lying Brown HAIR: Blond
    KNOWN ACCOMPLICES: Mr. Clark, a.k.a. Liar McPantsonfire
  7. modus operandi
    an unvarying or habitual method or procedure
    MODUS OPERANDI: Usually leaves within a few weeks of taking a sudden (fake) interest in “family time” (i.e., buying me presents, asking about Dad’s day, organizing movie nights).
  8. at large
    having escaped, especially from confinement
    STATUS: At large.
  9. void
    an empty area or space
    Now, even when I sit next to him, the space between us feels like an impassable void.
  10. offhand
    casually thoughtless or inconsiderate
    “Fine. My mom left yesterday.” My voice shakes, but I try to keep the statement as offhand as possible.
  11. indifferent
    showing no care or concern in attitude or action
    Of course, in the effort to look indifferent, I end up choking and spraying flecks of egg and spinach in Shrey’s face.
  12. dubious
    fraught with uncertainty or doubt
    “That your mom went on vacation?” Shrey gives me a dubious look. “Yeah, that’s real breaking news.”
  13. taunt
    harass with persistent criticism or carping
    Of course Alicia would show up and taunt me today. She’s the Junipero Valley Killer of our school—murdering people’s self-esteem and causing chaos wherever she goes.
  14. mimic
    imitate, especially for satirical effect
    Alicia sneers. “I’m Trissa! I smell like barf and Doritos!”
    Mocking her victims by mimicking them is definitely Alicia’s signature, so this isn’t a surprise.
  15. persona
    an actor's portrayal of someone in a play, film, etc...
    SIGNATURE: Takes on exaggerated persona of victim during mocking, observed in at least 75% of incidents.
  16. casual
    marked by a lack of concern
    Alicia flinches, looking in my direction, but quickly twists her face into an expression of casual disinterest as she saunters toward the bench.
  17. saunter
    walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
    Alicia flinches, looking in my direction, but quickly twists her face into an expression of casual disinterest as she saunters toward the bench.
  18. scoff
    treat with contemptuous disregard
    "Why would you want to talk to me, Fatface?” Alicia scoffs.
  19. minion
    a servile or fawning dependent
    Alicia looks startled, and I almost think she’s about to back off when two familiar faces come into view. Ugh. Brie and Emma—Alicia’s minions.
  20. smug
    marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
    They always look smug, but I can’t help noticing something more to their expressions today. They wear wicked looks, like snakes after a fresh meal.
  21. falter
    speak haltingly
    “Ummmm...” I falter.
  22. premise
    a statement that is held to be true
    Accept their premise and laugh it off (like, if someone calls you a name, laugh right back and agree with them. “Well, I don’t know about ugly, but I suppose I could have brushed my hair today. Thanks for the feedback, buddy!”)
  23. rogue
    disposed to or engaged in defiance of authority or rules
    One of the eighth-graders who run it could be going rogue.
  24. watermark
    distinguishing design impressed on paper during manufacture
    In the lower left corner of the photo is an image that I recognize as Ella Baker Shade’s usual watermark.
  25. vise
    something likened to a tool that clamps or holds tightly
    My chest clenches like it’s in a vise, and I can already hear a faint wheeze escape as I take in the steady gaze of the crowd around me.
  26. methodical
    characterized by orderliness
    An hour later, I’m staring up at the ceiling in the nurse’s office, methodically counting polar bears and beach balls.
  27. suppress
    control and refrain from showing
    Suppressing a groan, I shuffle down the hall toward Vice Principal Lopez’s office.
  28. withdrawn
    tending to be reserved, quiet, or introspective
    Holly is in a bunch of my classes this year, so I noticed when she started to become more withdrawn this year.
  29. collected
    in full control of your faculties
    Would she be nervous, or would she be calm and collected?
  30. marzipan
    confection made of sugar, almond paste, and egg whites
    Since Dad’s working, I head toward the bakery. A chocolate croissant will definitely make me feel better. Or some marzipan.
  31. patisserie
    a bakery specializing in French pastry
    Two years ago, Dad opened his own patisserie in Oakland’s Dimond district. He named it Leclair’s Eclairs (cute, right?), and it’s basically my favorite place in the universe, other than Disneyland. All the pastries and chocolate—right at my fingertips.
  32. paraphernalia
    equipment consisting of miscellaneous articles
    Our initials adorn the column by the register, the prep room has glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling from our trip to the Lawrence Hall of Science, and Dad’s office is covered with true crime paraphernalia.
  33. haphazard
    marked by great carelessness
    Removing my hair from its haphazard ponytail, I stomp back into the office and collapse into one of the captain’s chairs by his desk.
  34. truffle
    creamy chocolate candy
    He rises from his chair and walks toward the kitchen, where his chocolate molds are neatly stacked. From the look of it, he got an order for one billion Pikachu truffles.
  35. lurch
    move abruptly
    Dad’s Adam’s apple lurches up and down as he swallows nervously.
  36. banter
    light teasing repartee
    He busies himself with the chocolate Pikachus (Pikachi? Does it have a plural?) again, but I can tell a cloud has passed over our banter.
  37. relent
    give in, as to influence or pressure
    I relent. “Okay, go join the PTO. Make friends. But don’t come crying to me when they won’t binge watch Trail of Blood with you.”
  38. stellar
    distinguished from others in excellence
    “You know I’d watch it anyway. But, hey, speaking of your stellar parenting choices, can I go squeeze marzipan into my mouth now?”
  39. wistfully
    in a pensively sad manner
    Dad looks at me wistfully. “It’s nice to have you back around the shop, kiddo. It feels like it’s been a while.”
  40. shrill
    having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
    But, just as I put pen to paper and write Observations, a shrill ringing breaks through the silence.
Created on Wed Nov 15 13:40:00 EST 2023 (updated Thu Nov 16 10:40:01 EST 2023)

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