Hungry Bones: Chapters 53–After

by Louise Hung
Teenagers Jade and Molly live in the same house in Texas — except Jade is a ghost. Because Molly can communicate with Jade, they become friends and help each other, especially with their relationships with their mothers.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Before–Chapter 6, Chapters 7–20, Chapters 21–33, Chapters 34–52, Chapters 53–After
15 words 6 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. congee
    an Asian rice porridge, usually eaten for breakfast
    “Nonsense!” says Rose as she ladles the thick white congee into our bowls, pieces of bao yu—abalone—peeking out from the soup. “This is a special occasion.”
  2. abalone
    a large edible marine gastropod with an ear-shaped shell
    “Nonsense!” says Rose as she ladles the thick white congee into our bowls, pieces of bao yu—abalone—peeking out from the soup. “This is a special occasion.”
  3. cacophony
    a loud harsh or strident noise
    We eat our meal—it kicks butt and definitely improves my mood—and leave after a cacophony of Chinese ladies arguing about the check.
  4. veneer
    an outward appearance that is deliberately misleading
    Mom squeezes my hand so hard. Maybe it’s not the Hallmark moment she’d hoped for, but it was pretty wild to see Bobbie’s icy veneer melt a little.
  5. estranged
    caused to be unloved
    I get my cold brew, then go across the street to check out a bookstore and give Mom and Auntie Bobbie some space to talk at each other or yell or have a dance-off—whatever estranged sisters do.
  6. affection
    a positive feeling of liking
    I’m overwhelmed with affection for my friend.
  7. luminous
    softly bright or radiant
    “Okay, thank you,” she says, looking at me with a luminous smile, before fading away.
  8. telltale
    disclosing unintentionally
    Bobbie and I sit in silence, listening to her telltale creaks on the stairs and upstairs floor.
  9. oblivion
    total forgetfulness
    If oblivion awaits me, I hope this gift can come along.
  10. palpable
    capable of being perceived
    Her love for me is palpable; it fills the room and is as sure as there is a sun in the sky.
  11. exhume
    dig up for reburial or for medical investigation
    “But”—and even Auntie Bobbie seems depleted now—“even if a person’s bones were properly exhumed and cataloged, they didn’t always make it home.”
  12. contemplative
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
    Mom looks like she’s seeing a movie replay just for her. It’s odd to see her so small and contemplative, but I like it.
  13. gesticulate
    show, express, or direct through movement
    "...Thank you for seeing me.”
    “Always,” she says. Taking a breath, she goes on, gesticulating wildly.
  14. elation
    a feeling of joy and pride
    I’ve never felt such elation at having feet!
  15. stickler
    someone who insists on something
    Ms. Flores is a stickler for typos—last time I forgot a “the” and an “is” and she docked me half a letter grade.
Created on Fri May 29 15:56:51 EDT 2026 (updated Mon Jul 20 18:00:31 EDT 2026)

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