Where Only Storms Grow: Chapters 13–30

by Alyssa Colman
The Stanton twins, Howe and Joanna, live in the Oklahoma panhandle during the devastating 1930s Dust Bowl event. In the midst of unprecedented and unrelenting dust storms, Joanna and Howe must work together to save their family farm and the whole community.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–8, Chapters 9–12, Chapters 13–30, Chapters 31–46
15 words 7 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. vehemence
    intensity or forcefulness of expression
    “Why would you think that? How do you even know I have it?” I shouted. Her eyes widened at the vehemence of my reaction.
  2. resonate
    evoke or suggest a strong meaning or belief
    Grant laughed. “Sorry, Howard. My mother says I use more than my fair share of the world’s oxygen with all my questions. Perhaps that’s why I started wanting to save it.”
    “The oxygen?” I scratched my head.
    Grant raised an eyebrow. “The world,” he said with a seriousness that resonated deep within my soul.
  3. concerted
    involving the joint activity of two or more
    “Tell your folks I’m sorry to have missed them. I’d be obliged if you’d ask your daddy to give me a call when he gets home. There are things we can do to stop the blowing, but they’ll take time and a concerted effort, as well as funds.”
  4. blanch
    turn pale, as if in fear
    I blanched, thinking about what would happen to the animals if we abandoned them.
  5. gaunt
    very thin, especially from disease or hunger or cold
    He coughed again and I recognized him. It was Mr. Coates, the postman. He looked different out of uniform, and despite his sun-leathered skin, he was pale and gaunt.
  6. distract
    draw someone's attention away from something
    A trill of Lou’s laughter distracted me. I snuck his way to see what was going on.
  7. elaborate
    marked by complexity and richness of detail
    He was sitting up in bed as much as he could, grinning from ear to ear. Next to him, Miss Landis was in the middle of an elaborate story of some sort.
  8. mosey
    walk leisurely
    I moseyed up to the counter and tried to ignore the stares. “I need a set of new piston rings, please.”
  9. tremor
    shaking or trembling
    I tried to hide the tremor in my voice.
  10. indispensable
    essential
    “Well. She’s working at the Red Cross hospital. The nurses say she’s indispensable.”
  11. abide
    put up with something or somebody unpleasant
    The funny thing about being a twin was that no matter how mad I was at Joanna, I couldn’t abide anyone else saying negative things about her.
  12. unprecedented
    novel; having no earlier occurrence
    “None of us know what the future holds, do we? Dimple’s proof of that, rest her soul. We’re living in unprecedented times. We have to grab what we love and hold on to it fiercely.”
  13. mortification
    strong feelings of embarrassment
    I lay on the floor and kept my eyes closed out of sheer mortification.
  14. assent
    agreement with a statement or proposal to do something
    I ducked my chin in assent. Then I stared at my folded hands and waited for her verdict.
  15. verdict
    a position or opinion reached after consideration
    I ducked my chin in assent. Then I stared at my folded hands and waited for her verdict.
Created on Sat Mar 07 20:04:04 EST 2026 (updated Tue Apr 21 13:58:20 EDT 2026)

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