Zara's Rules for Record-Breaking Fun: Chapters 1–4

by Hena Khan
When a new family moves in across the street, ten-and-three-quarters-year-old Zara Saleem decides that she must break a Guinness World Record to remain queen of her Maryland neighborhood.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–11, Chapters 12–19
35 words 51 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. elegant
    refined and tasteful in appearance, behavior, or style
    We watch an elegant older woman in a suit and heels walk past the FOR SALE sign to the entrance of Mr. Chapman's house.
  2. clarify
    make clear and comprehensible
    “Fine. It’s not that I don’t like teenagers,” Baba clarifies. He tastes the meat and sprinkles more chili powder on top. “I just don’t want any living on our street, driving too fast, having loud parties. And I’d prefer that you and Zayd stay exactly as you are, forever, please.”
  3. proper
    marked by suitability or rightness or appropriateness
    But Zayd calls every night that we have tacos for dinner “Taco Tuesday.” I hear my parents tell their friends how adorable that is, over and over again. It was funny the first few times he said it. But now I think it’s about time Zayd learns the proper days of the week.
  4. obsessed
    having excessive or compulsive concern with something
    But then Jamal Mamoo explained that “GOAT” stands for “Greatest of All Time,” which makes more sense. Jamal Mamoo is obsessed with sports scores and records and is always talking about who’s the best.
  5. grace
    a sense of propriety and consideration for others
    He gave each of us special nicknames. Mine is “Queen of the Neighborhood,” because he said I “rule with grace and fairness.”
  6. fair
    free from favoritism, bias, or deception
    Even kids who are older than me, like Gloria and Jade, don’t mind that I’m in charge. It’s probably because I’m so fair.
  7. pucker
    become wrinkled or drawn together
    I grab a low-hanging branch, heavy with tiny apples that are so sour, they make your lips pucker if you dare eat them.
  8. insist
    assert to be true
    “The tree is also really big,” Jade insists.
  9. agreeable
    prepared or willing to consent
    “Fine,” Gloria says, and shrugs, living up to the nickname Mr. Chapman gave her: “Ms. Agreeable.”
  10. protest
    utter words of objection
    I look around to see if anyone else is protesting, and mop my face with my T-shirt sleeve.
  11. parched
    dried out by heat or excessive exposure to sunlight
    Today is especially hot, and some of his lemonade would be perfect right now.
    “If we stop now, our team wins,” I say, licking my parched lips.
  12. fancy
    not plain; decorative or ornamented
    Jade is the craftiest out of all of us, which is why Mr. Chapman called her “the Artist.” But he pronounced it “ar-teest” to be extra fancy, like Jade.
  13. gape
    look with amazement
    Suddenly we’re all on the same team as we huddle together and gape at the truck.
  14. assortment
    a collection containing a variety of kinds of things
    Then they pull down a metal ramp and begin to bring out an assortment of furniture wrapped in blankets.
  15. lanky
    tall and thin and having long slender limbs
    The boy is tall and lanky, with knobby knees poking out of his shorts and messy dark brown hair.
  16. counter
    speak in response
    “The boy’s probably my age,” Alan says. “And about my height.”
    “He looks way older than eight, and taller than you,” Jade counters.
  17. fascinated
    having your attention fixated as though witchcraft
    He squeezes my hand tighter, and we all continue to watch this family, fascinated, like they’re actors starring in a movie.
  18. husky
    a breed of heavy-coated Arctic sled dog
    The Queen of the Neighborhood fears no one—except for Tala, the big gray husky who lives four doors down and snarls if you get too close to the fence.
  19. snarl
    make an angry, sharp, or abrupt noise
    The Queen of the Neighborhood fears no one—except for Tala, the big gray husky who lives four doors down and snarls if you get too close to the fence.
  20. claim
    demand as being one's due or property
    Just like that, the New People turn and run into Mr. Chapman’s house and claim it for themselves.
  21. chai
    the name of tea in various languages
    They are sitting together at the table, drinking chai.
  22. chap
    a boy or man
    “Too bad Chapman left. He was a good man.” Naano shakes her head sadly.
    “A very kind chap,” Nana Abu adds from the sofa.
  23. samosa
    fried Indian turnover filled with vegetables or meat
    “We should take something over to the new neighbors, to welcome them,” Mama suggests.
    “Samosas?” Naano says. “I can fry some right now.”
  24. fumble
    feel about uncertainly or blindly
    “Get me flour, butter, sugar, eggs. Do you have almonds?”
    “I think so.” Mama fumbles through the pantry.
  25. usher
    accompany or escort
    She doesn’t stop talking as she takes the plate from my hand and ushers me into the house.
  26. slink
    move or walk stealthily
    Naomi peeks her head out from the hallway upstairs. And then she slinks down the stairs.
  27. intently
    with strained or eager attention
    Naomi circles me, staring at me intently.
  28. sprawl
    sit or lie with one's limbs spread out
    Zayd is sprawled on the floor of the family room, setting up a racetrack for his cars in the middle of the carpet.
  29. turquoise
    a shade of blue tinged with green
    When we get outside, Gloria is already on her bike at the bottom of our driveway, a new turquoise helmet strapped under her chin.
  30. rummage
    search haphazardly
    We watch as she rummages through a box and drags something heavy over to the front yard.
  31. unwind
    reverse the twisting of
    After the pool is inflated, Naomi unwinds the hose that Mr. Chapman left at the front of the house.
  32. practically
    almost; nearly
    Just like that, they walk over to Naomi's yard, although they’ve hardly even met Naomi yet. She’s practically a stranger!
  33. survey
    look over carefully or inspect
    Michael comes out of his house, surveying the scene with a flavored ice pop in his hand.
  34. refreshing
    imparting vitality and energy
    When she comes out again with a handful of the colorful frozen sticks, I walk across the street and take the one she offers me. It’s purple. My least favorite flavor. Still, it’s cold and refreshing.
  35. admit
    declare to be true or accept the reality of
    And when I finally kick off my sandals and dip my toes into the cool tub, I have to admit it feels amazing.
Created on Thu Mar 14 17:03:48 EDT 2024 (updated Fri Mar 15 13:07:45 EDT 2024)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.