The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze: Chapters 35–44

by Derrick Barnes
In this novel, 13-year-old Henson Blayze becomes the star of his school's football team, but soon learns that he must choose between fame and fighting back against racism.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Prologue-Chapter 11, Chapters 12-22, Chapters 23-34, Chapters 35-44, Chapter 45-Epilogue
15 words 18 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. despicable
    morally reprehensible
    “All of this because they want to see a Black boy on a football field,” said Freida as she looked out at the horde of despicable townsfolk.
  2. inkling
    a slight suggestion or vague understanding
    “Maybe. Or maybe you know something that I don’t know. I’ve always had an inkling about you Blayzes. Just an inkling.”
  3. entourage
    the group following and attending to some important person
    And with that, the hospital entourage left the room, quick and single-filed.
  4. contempt
    lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
    Every mouth on the front row opened, slack-jawed, and all eyes burned with contempt.
  5. imply
    express or state indirectly
    “You need to think again, and you need to do it expediently. I hate to inform you, but you cannot and will not demand that we do anything. You’re talking like you and these folks have deeds on us, and I know you’re not implying that, are you, Mr. Thumper?”
  6. brandish
    exhibit aggressively
    They lined up shoulder to shoulder, impenetrable and stone-faced, brandishing three-foot-long spears with large, silver arrowheads, and bows and arrows whose tips shone like razor blades.
  7. hooligan
    a rowdy, violent, and typically youthful troublemaker
    “If you know what’s good for you, I recommend that you don’t utter another cursed word to Henson. Not a one. This is what’s happening: We are leaving. We are headed home. You and those hooligans behind you will break up this silly, pathetic attempt to intimidate us, ’cause it ain’t working.
  8. subdued
    quieted and brought under control
    The driver pulled in right between Henson, Freida, Menkah, Mrs. Jupiter, and the subdued Delta Boys crowd.
  9. smattering
    a small number or amount
    “GET THE HELL OUT OF MY TOWN WITH THIS MONKEY BUSINESS!” he shouted, which drew a smattering of cheers and applause from the townsfolk.
  10. altercation
    a noisy, angry argument or fight between people
    They all just filed into a single line, including Flowell, who brought up the rear, and left without an altercation.
  11. mull
    reflect deeply on a subject
    Deacon sat down in his favorite chair, shook open the financial section, crossed his legs, and began to mull over the rise and fall of orange juice, pork belly, and soy prices.
  12. tycoon
    a very wealthy or powerful businessperson
    “Even after I become a real estate and hotel tycoon, I’m still residing right here. I ain’t goin’ to the South of France, Mr. Director. You talkin’ about leavin’. Leavin’ for what? No, no, Henson Blayze.”
  13. bevy
    a large gathering of people of a particular type
    The high beams from her father’s car could be seen from a great distance, crashing white light on the fields and creating an imposing bevy of ghosts from the clouds of dust and rocks that rose from the tires.
  14. discombobulated
    having self-possession upset; thrown into confusion
    “I’m sure the past few days have you discombobulated. Don’t know if you’re coming or going.”
  15. endowment
    the capital that provides income for an institution
    “You already know this, but maybe not to what extent. We have an endowment, a family trust, son. Most of it was made during the King Cotton era. It’s well over two hundred and fifty million dollars. Don’t think I’ve ever said that out loud—but we do, and it ain’t for us to spend.”
Created on Tue Nov 25 08:08:53 EST 2025 (updated Tue Dec 02 11:42:12 EST 2025)

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