Merci Suárez Can’t Dance: Chapters 34–49

by Meg Medina
In this second book of the trilogy, Merci is dismayed, despite coming from a family of dancers, that Seaward Pines Academy's tradition for building teamwork among seventh graders is the Heart Ball.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–6, Chapters 7–19, Chapters 20–33, Chapters 34–49
40 words 9 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. deadpan
    speak in a deliberately impassive or serious manner
    “Have your people talk to my people,” he deadpans.
  2. waft
    be driven or carried along, as by the air
    There’s ice cream across the way, and the smell from the food trucks wafts on the breeze.
  3. abstract
    not representing or imitating external reality
    “It’s abstract,” she tells me. “He’s not trying to make it look real. He’s trying to make you put it together in your own way.”
  4. relish
    vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
    I’m digging into our tots with relish when I spot two kids playing Frisbee, which is one of my favorite games.
  5. dainty
    affectedly refined
    She snorts a little and takes a dainty bite of her snack as we watch Wilson make his next throw.
  6. whim
    an odd or fanciful or capricious idea
    “We’re in the circus,” Axel yells, changing the game on a whim.
  7. buff
    polish and make shiny
    Our custodian generally seems to hate kids. Not that I can really blame him. We’re always scuffing the floor he’s just buffed or leaving fingerprints on the glass doors or throwing up in the least convenient places, like the carpet in the library.
  8. impertinent
    improperly forward or bold
    I try not to roll my eyes because that would fall in the Impertinent Behavior category of Miss McDaniels’s list of pet peeves.
  9. partition
    a vertical structure that divides or separates
    Her voice is angry through the partitions.
  10. gravitate
    move toward
    Nobody is assigned seats, and yet everyone gravitates to the same territory every day.
  11. contemplate
    reflect deeply on a subject
    I feel the color rising to my cheeks as we sit side by side on the floor, contemplating.
  12. dejected
    affected or marked by low spirits
    “How many flags are in here, anyway?” I ask, dejected.
    “One ninety-three,” he says.
    My heart sinks. Mr. Vong averages hanging only three or four of these a day.
  13. shutter
    close for the day or permanently
    It’s the one on Haverhill with Tinto Service Station selling GOMAS DE MICHELIN: $70 on one end and the shuttered drive-thru bank on the other.
  14. maneuver
    move skillfully, as around obstacles or into a position
    We maneuver around an abandoned grocery cart in the empty parking lot and pull into a spot near a vacant storefront.
  15. threshold
    the entrance for passing through a room or building
    I step over the threshold and go inside.
  16. hostile
    characterized by enmity or ill will
    I just stand there in cautious silence, like Jake Rodrigo when he’s landed on a new planet that might be hostile.
  17. marquee
    a structure, often with a signboard, over an entrance
    She moves her hand along an imaginary marquee in the air. “Welcome to the Suárez School of Latin Dance.”
  18. brood
    think moodily or anxiously about something
    He didn’t even say “Hi, preciosa” when I came in, and when I sat close to him on the couch and whispered about what Mami had done to me, he didn’t say much, except “figúrate” under his breath. I had to be satisfied with resting my head on his chest and brooding on my own.
  19. zany
    ludicrous or foolish
    Zany cartoon boings sound through the house.
  20. feral
    wild and menacing
    “It’s feral.” He meant Tuerto was wild and wouldn’t like people.
  21. vise
    something likened to a tool that clamps or holds tightly
    A visit with Edna is only going to make my head feel more like it’s squeezed in a tight vise.
  22. skittish
    unpredictably excitable, especially of horses
    She looks a little skittish, like something is on her mind—or else she has to go to the bathroom.
  23. rustling
    a light noise, like leaves blowing in the wind
    I hear rustling behind me, and I turn.
  24. traipse
    walk or tramp about
    Aurelia puts away her nail file as people start to traipse in on Thursday afternoon.
  25. hamstring
    one of the tendons at the back of the knee
    When it’s my turn, I ask Vicente to help me demonstrate Frankenstein kicks from soccer, so you don’t tear your hamstrings.
  26. wilt
    become limp
    “Hold your arms up in frame, like this, from the shoulders,” she says. “No wilting limbs.”
  27. sassy
    improperly forward or bold
    “Did you lay hands on someone?”
    “He had it coming.” Edna’s voice is sassy, even though her eyes are puddled with angry tears.
  28. specimen
    an example regarded as typical of its class
    He’s enough of a pest as it is. Besides, Edna can take care of herself. Remember, she’s not exactly the sweetest specimen.
  29. sensitive
    being susceptible to the attitudes or feelings of others
    I swallow hard and force myself not to cry the way Hannah does when she’s upset. Maybe Miss McDaniels will say I’m too sensitive.
  30. ellipsis
    a mark indicating that words have been omitted
    I wait a long time for a reply from Edna, staring at the rolling ellipsis that appears and disappears until finally there are words:
    You're welcome.
  31. incense
    a substance that produces a fragrant odor when burned
    Even the bathroom got new toilets and sinks, and they smell of the incense sticks Señora Magdalena sent to wish us luck.
  32. privileged
    blessed with special advantages
    In past years, we have been privileged to host art groups and speakers from around the world.
  33. accommodate
    have room for; hold without crowding
    I realize this is very late notice, but we are hopeful that your schedule can accommodate our request.
  34. logistics
    supplying an operation with labor and materials as needed
    Please make arrangements with Ms. Jennifer McDaniels in our main office at the number below. She will answer any questions you might have about our facilities and other logistics.
  35. stipend
    a sum of money allotted on a regular basis
    “And if it helps, we are prepared to offer a stipend of three thousand five hundred dollars for your performance.”
  36. hyperventilate
    breathe excessively hard and fast
    Edna, never much of a morning person, watches me for a couple of exhales and loses it. “Are we here to watch you hyperventilate like Darth Vader?”
  37. conservatory
    a schoolhouse with special facilities for fine arts
    “And to show some dances and music that kids at your school might want to learn—¡y punto! This is about dancing from the heart, Merci. No offense, but nobody here is ready for the conservatory.”
  38. frond
    compound leaf of a fern or palm or cycad
    Everything looks strangely perfect and unreal, like a movie set. The flowers that are planted by color and size. The fieldstone walkways and stone benches. The palms without a single dried frond drooping down.
  39. stanchion
    any vertical post or rod used as a support
    I lead us all past the box office and stanchions.
  40. clammy
    unpleasantly cool and humid
    So, Wilson takes me by the hand before I can run away, and now it’s his turn to squeeze my hand too tight. I notice his palms are also a little clammy.
Created on Tue Jun 18 11:50:58 EDT 2024 (updated Wed Jun 19 15:53:17 EDT 2024)

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