Will’s Race for Home: Chapters VI–XI

by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Will Samuels and his father embark on a 40-day trek from their Texas sharecropper existence to stake claim on free land during the 1889 Oklahoma Land Rush. Having survived the dangers of traversing remote frontier lands, Will still must make the ride of his life for his family's freedom against all odds.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters I–V, Chapters VI–XI, Chapters XII–XVIII, Chapters XIX–XXX, Chapters XXXI–XXXVIII
15 words 2 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. nary
    colloquial for 'not a' or 'not one' or 'never a'
    Ma’s eyes are falsely bright, her smile strained. (Nary a word against the trip.)
  2. resigned
    accepting that something unpleasant cannot be changed
    Ma and Grandpa stand next to each other. Ma resigned, Grandpa stoic, clasping the family Bible.
  3. stoic
    seeming unaffected by pleasure or pain; impassive
    Ma and Grandpa stand next to each other. Ma resigned, Grandpa stoic, clasping the family Bible.
  4. traction
    the friction between a body and a surface on which it moves
    Belle’s hooves dig deep, trying to gain traction.
  5. cajole
    influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
    “Belle,” I call, cajoling, “Belle, you can do it. You can do it, girl.”
  6. forlorn
    marked by or showing hopelessness
    Ma looks slight, forlorn, standing in the middle of the road.
  7. lull
    become quiet or less intensive
    The first hours of the day are hardest. Once the sun rises, the rhythm lulls.
  8. remote
    inaccessible and sparsely populated
    The farther we get from Mr. Thompson’s farm, the more the wide-open, remote land stirs him with wonder.
  9. desolate
    having few or no inhabitants
    Beyond the fire’s glow, I never knew darkness could be so black. The whole world seems weighted, desolate.
  10. enthralled
    filled with wonder and delight
    Above, another world beckons. I gaze, enthralled.
  11. porter
    a person employed to carry luggage and supplies
    Quickly the station is overwhelmed with luggage, porters, rail clerks, and gentlemen and ladies in fancier clothes than anyone I’ve seen before.
  12. iridescent
    having a play of lustrous rainbow colors
    He reminds me of a great-tailed grackle. Long legs, face. His ankle-length coat, like a bird’s tail, sweeps and gleams iridescent—purplish black.
  13. exasperated
    greatly annoyed; out of patience
    “That’s it?” I holler, exasperated. “Put them in jail.”
  14. disdainful
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    Disdainful, he stares hard at us—spilled groceries, Father’s hand grasping my shoulder, Belle, ears pointed up, and the gunman, high on his horse.
  15. taut
    pulled or drawn tight
    Both men are big, with taut, dark faces.
Created on Wed Feb 25 20:44:09 EST 2026 (updated Tue Apr 07 12:07:56 EDT 2026)

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