A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation: List 3

by Pablo Cartaya
Gonzalo Alberto Sánchez García finds himself on a cross-country roadtrip with his estranged grandfather, an internationally acclaimed author of a children's fantasy series. Over the course of the 10-day trip, Gonzolo learns the truth behind his grandfather's famous tales and gains a better understanding of himself and his family.

This list covers vocabulary from "In His Own Words"—"Plans Change."

Here are links to our lists for the book: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5
15 words 9 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. dilapidated
    in a state of decay, ruin, or deterioration
    He lives in a dilapidated mansion with his mother, who cleans at Gonzalo’s school.
  2. perimeter
    the boundary line or area immediately inside the boundary
    Supreme Teacher would not approve of him being this close to the perimeter of the school.
  3. infraction
    a violation of a law or rule
    He’s already been in trouble twice this week. Another infraction and he’ll get the box.
  4. compliant
    disposed to act in accordance with someone's wishes
    Kids are never the same after they end up in the box. Their eyes become lifeless. They become still. Compliant. Just like Supreme Teacher expects.
  5. perpetual
    uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
    She’s in a perpetual state of calendars and calls and meetings and looking like she’s always one step ahead of a fashion trend.
  6. skiff
    a small boat propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
    It ends with Gonzalo and his two friends, Antonia and Herrín, the self-involved shape-shifting peacock, on a skiff off the coast of Key West, heading into a storm in search of Gonzalo’s lost father.
  7. accolade
    an expression of praise or admiration
    I think of all the volumes in the series and all the accolades and translations they’ve had over the years.
  8. capsize
    overturn accidentally
    The book begins immediately as the storm nearly capsizes the small skiff that precariously carries Gonzalo and his two friends.
  9. precariously
    in a manner affording no ease or reassurance
    The book begins immediately as the storm nearly capsizes the small skiff that precariously carries Gonzalo and his two friends.
  10. sarcasm
    witty language used to convey insults or scorn
    He’s quiet for a moment, then wrinkles his mustache and grumbles, “Sarcasm doesn’t suit you, nieto.”
  11. pendant
    an adornment that hangs from a piece of jewelry
    There weren’t any navigation devices on board. Only a compass that a man named Orestes carried around his neck like a pendant.
  12. guttural
    relating to or articulated in the throat
    “¿Quieres escuchar una historia, chico?” Ignacio said in a low, guttural voice.
  13. cataclysmic
    severely destructive
    Then one day, a cataclysmic tsunami tore through the entire empire and drowned the ancient civilization.
  14. tsunami
    a cataclysm resulting from a destructive sea wave
    Then one day, a cataclysmic tsunami tore through the entire empire and drowned the ancient civilization.
  15. extroverted
    at ease in talking to others
    “She’s a naturally extroverted person,” my grandfather replies. “And she’s very good with people. So was your father.”
Created on Fri Mar 27 18:08:34 EDT 2026 (updated Wed Jun 03 19:21:13 EDT 2026)

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