"The Pecan Sheller" by Lupe Ruiz-Flores, Chapters 9–13

Sandy (United States of America)
Thirteen-year-old Petra wanted to finish school and become a writer, but her family's financial woes in late 1930s San Antonio, Texas forced her to drop out and succumb to demoralizing factory work at below poverty-level wages. Her future seemed bleak until she and her coworkers organized and went on strike for better wages and work conditions.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–3, Chapters 4–8, Chapters 9–13, Chapters 14–18, Chapters 19–30
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. sweltering
    excessively hot and humid; marked by sweating and faintness
    Beads of sweat trickled down her face, neck, and chest as she hurried to the public library after Sunday Mass, eager to escape the sweltering heat.
  2. scraggly
    lacking neatness or order
    Trying to hide her dirty, chipped fingernails, Petra tucked her hands under the table. She cringed as Lydia took in her scraggly hair and done-in loafers with no socks.
  3. earthy
    not far removed from or suggestive of nature
    “Trying to keep this dust down,” Doña María said, wiping her brow. The water hissed and jumped as it hit the ground. The earthy smell, like fresh cucumbers, filled the air. Maneuvering her way around the hose’s path, Petra gave the woman a quick smile.
  4. foundry
    a factory where metal castings are produced
    Carmela wrote that her father had met a friend of a friend who’d offered him a job in one of the car factories’ foundries.
  5. emboss
    raise in a relief
    An invitation! It was from Lydia, inviting Petra and her family to Lydia’s sister’s quinceañera. Petra slid her hands over the glossy white roses embossed on the cover of the card. Inside, the details of the quinceañera were printed in elegant script.
  6. compassion
    a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
    “About that invitation—I still think it’s too soon to go to any quinceañera.”
    The compassion Petra had been feeling for Amá vanished. “Ugh! You always, always say no.”
  7. wistfully
    in a pensively sad manner
    “I said you’re almost fourteen, next year fifteen,” Amá said, gazing wistfully at her. “Your father would’ve wanted you to have a quinceañera. I wish we could do that when you turn fifteen, but we can’t.”
  8. cummerbund
    a broad pleated sash worn at the waist with a tuxedo
    Next, Lydia’s sister’s court of honor walked in, their lemon-colored chiffon dresses flowing as they moved slowly up the aisle alongside their escorts, who wore tuxedoes with yellow cummerbunds.
  9. bodice
    part of a dress above the waist
    Sparkling sequins on the bodices of the dresses shone like drops of sunlight. And their shoes! Petra stared at the yellow satin shoes.
  10. serenade
    sing and play for somebody
    Outside the church, mariachis in silver-studded black charro outfits serenaded Lydia’s sister.
  11. dismissive
    showing indifference or disregard
    But whenever anyone brought up her health, Ofelia was sharply dismissive.
  12. incredulous
    not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
    “The public library’s not far from here,” Petra remarked. “Maybe we can stop there first.”
    “What? The library? Are you serious?” Ofelia stopped in the middle of the sidewalk, an incredulous look on her face.
  13. jalopy
    a car that is old and unreliable
    Ofelia followed, still muttering. “You know that broken-down Studebaker my father bought? It’s never run. That money could’ve been used for my wedding instead of that old jalopy.”
  14. burly
    muscular and heavily built
    “What’s going on, Joe?” he asked the burly security guard.
    “Same thing, Mr. Wilson.” The guard stood in front of the door with arms crossed, as if to prevent Ofelia and Petra from making a run for it.
  15. roiling
    (of a liquid) agitated vigorously; in a state of turbulence
    Petra felt sick. “What? We didn’t steal anything!” Her knees wobbled. She clutched her roiling stomach.
Created on Wed Mar 18 20:33:52 EDT 2026 (updated Sun Mar 22 13:57:29 EDT 2026)

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