Will’s Race for Home: Chapters XXXI–XXXVIII

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. chafe
    become or make sore by or as if by rubbing
    Riding is all I can do.
    Wind chafes my face. I lick my dry lips.
    Ride.
  2. cacophony
    loud confusing disagreeable sounds
    I hear before I see—a loud cacophony. Harsh, bellowing shouts, snorting, baying animals… wagon wheels rattling, whip cracks, and a bugler’s call and marching feet.
  3. jockey
    compete or struggle for an advantage or a position
    Wagons and horsemen are crammed, jockeying near the starting line.
  4. maneuver
    move skillfully, as around obstacles or into a position
    I maneuver Midnight forward, moving between skittish horses, eager and anxious men.
  5. skittish
    unpredictably excitable, especially of horses
    I maneuver Midnight forward, moving between skittish horses, eager and anxious men.
  6. somber
    serious and gloomy in character
    The kindly woman’s expression becomes somber, sad. (She must think my father is dead.)
    “Come with us,” she says. “We’ll look after you.”
  7. vie
    compete for something
    Land rushers swing, punch each other, vying to be first across the invisible line.
  8. warren
    a series of underground tunnels occupied by rabbits
    The forested rim slows me. I step over fallen logs. Piles of branches, twigs. Leaves sprout. I peer into a rabbit warren. I hear woodpeckers—tap-tap-tapping. Ants, spiders scatter.
  9. paltry
    contemptibly small in amount or size
    I scramble. The fire is paltry, barely alive.
  10. callused
    having tough, thickened areas of skin
    I see his boots have spurs and are expensive, hand-stitched, painted leather. His hands aren’t callused like Father’s.
  11. contempt
    open disrespect for a person or thing
    Chills run through me. Worse, contempt flares in the farmer’s eyes.
  12. matter-of-fact
    not fanciful or imaginative
    His deep, matter-of-fact tone made him seem all the more dangerous.
    “I’m not afraid of you,” I say flatly.
  13. swindle
    deprive of by deceit
    “Well, young man, I’m sure I’ll find an older man to swindle. Other land to claim. I’m tired of this journey. Thought you’d be an easy mark.”
  14. scoff
    laugh at with contempt and derision
    I sit straighter, looking intently at Father. “I want to raise horses.”
    “You don’t know anything about horses,” Father scoffs.
    “I know Midnight.”
  15. foal
    a young horse
    Father grins. “This spring, we’ll start with a foal. A black one.”
Created on Wed Feb 25 21:05:56 EST 2026 (updated Tue Apr 07 12:42:27 EDT 2026)

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