The Very, Very Far North: Chapters 4–6

by Dan Bar-el
A friendly young polar bear named Duane moves to the Far North and meets several new friends, including an owl, a musk ox, and a puffin. Duane’s charming attitude of childlike wonder seems to turn every day into an adventure for him and his new friends.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Introduction–Chapter 3, Chapters 4–6, Chapters 7–9, Chapter 10, Chapter 11–Conclusion
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. hillock
    a small natural mound
    So while Handsome unhappily trudged up the steep hill to join Duane, I will take this opportunity to inform you that there was someone on the other side of the river, hidden from view behind a hillock.
  2. lineage
    the kinship relation between an individual and progenitors
    Major Puff is very proud of his lineage.
  3. archenemy
    a major foe
    He has not been tested, so to speak. Nor has he ever seen a great black-backed gull face to face, which keeps him on continuous guard should he find himself in close proximity with his archenemy without knowing it.
  4. frivolous
    not serious in content, attitude, or behavior
    Holidays were frivolous and silly, whereas a migration sounded much more serious and responsible, befitting a puffin of the military class.
  5. defiantly
    in a rebellious manner
    Major Puff thrust out his chest defiantly and proceeded to march down the hillock toward his enemy.
  6. exaggerate
    enlarge beyond bounds or the truth
    “I exaggerated. Or maybe I lied. I can’t tell the difference...”
  7. circumstances
    one's overall condition in life
    “No sooner am I given the name Handsome, befitting my appearance, than my circumstances turn me hideous.”
  8. disheveled
    in disarray; extremely disorderly
    “I am tired and sweaty and disheveled. I want to go home.”
  9. mettle
    the courage to carry on
    “Do not test my mettle, dastardly villain!” warned Major Puff.
  10. inhospitable
    unfavorable to life or growth
    The temperature dropped to a most inhospitable level.
  11. copious
    large in number or quantity
    Snow started falling in copious amounts, which was then quickly lifted up by the wind so that it fell again and again in swirling waves, blotting out the sun, leaving Duane alone within a ferocious, howling blizzard.
  12. muster
    summon up, call forth, or bring together
    Shelter was required. Duane’s blizzard-addled brain was able to muster at least that much of a plan.
  13. discord
    a harsh mixture of sounds
    Through Duane’s near-frozen-shut eyes, he saw a flicker of fire. His nostrils picked up the smell of smoke. His ears were suddenly assaulted by a discord of barks and growls.
  14. placid
    not easily irritated
    She was placid and calm. The world may well be filled with all sorts of surprises, but she was not one to be surprised when she encountered any of them.
  15. wistful
    showing pensive sadness
    Their songs touched Duane. They made him feel wistful and homesick for his cave and his friends.
Created on Thu Jan 08 20:15:58 EST 2026 (updated Tue Jan 20 12:22:23 EST 2026)

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