The Queen Bees of Tybee County: Chapters 6–11

by Kyle Casey Chu
Derrick Chan just graduated high school as his school's basketball star — but that's not really who he is. Spending the summer with his grandmother Claudia, Derrick uncovers a long-hidden part of himself, which also helps him discover the legacy of courage in his family.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–5, Chapters 6–11, Chapters 12–21, Chapters 22–31, Chapters 32–38
15 words 2 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. drawl
    speak in a slow and drawn out way
    “Oh,” she drawls, sizing me up. “You’re not Claudia.”
  2. guacamole
    a dip made of mashed avocado
    “How was the guacamole, sweetie?” Claudia calls from inside.
  3. livid
    discolored by coagulation of blood beneath the skin
    “I do roller derby.”
    “What’s that?” I ask.
    “It’s a contact sport on skates,” Ro says. She lifts her shirtsleeve, showing me a livid purple bruise. “And it’s girls only.”
  4. flinch
    draw back, as with fear or pain
    “Oh, that’s my derby name. I’ve always wanted to be a jammer. Jammers are strong. They’re the ones who break through the pack to score.” She fake-lunges like she’s about to clobber me. I flinch, but only for a second. She tsks.
  5. sprawling
    spreading out in different directions
    Up ahead, grassy inclines yawn open into a sprawling concrete basketball court, where two teams of boys, shirts and skins, are duking it out in a two-on-three full-court game.
  6. founder
    a person who establishes some institution
    “This is Heritage Fountain,” Ro explains. “And that,” she says dully, nodding behind me, “is the town founder....”
  7. pretentious
    intended to attract notice and impress others
    “Nice to meet you, Derrick,” Giles says with a smile that grows even warmer as he greets me. “And don’t listen to her. I just like taking photos, I’m not super pretentious or anything....”
  8. deadpan
    deliberately impassive in manner
    “Sure, Gy,” Ro says, deadpan and unbelieving. “So whatcha got today? Lemme see.”
  9. portion
    an individual quantity of food or drink as part of a meal
    “Well, what’re you waiting for? Go on, have at it,” she encourages me, carving out her own generous portion.
  10. yawp
    make a raucous noise
    “Are you...” I take in her velvety eyelids, shaded like dusk. “Is there church today?” I ask.
    “Ha!” she yawps. “Every Sunday morning. But today ain’t Sunday!”
  11. loll
    hang loosely or laxly
    The Field Day bucket rustles. Spilling from the top is a stack of gold bowler hats, gleaming like butter glaze. Next to it, a bag lolls open with oversized gold honey dippers.
  12. croon
    sing softly
    Her hands conduct a beat.
    “One, two, three, and smile, two three,” she croons in rhythm, her head dipping and bobbing to the beat.
  13. fretful
    nervous and unable to relax
    The Bees step in rhythm.
    “We’re the Queen Bees of Tybee,” they chime. Ro’s fretful eyes dart around. Then the Bees pair off, hooking arms and taking a slow spin.
  14. scuttle
    move about or proceed hurriedly
    “Thank you so much, Ms. Andrews.” Muriel gives a little curtsy and scuttles off the stage.
  15. bellow
    shout loudly and without restraint
    “Well, we’re down one dancer,” she says slowly. “And we need someone to step in to get the blocking right. So... how about it?” She and Ro both eye me, waiting. And the answer bellows inside me.
Created on Mon Jun 08 17:11:12 EDT 2026 (updated Fri Jun 19 18:46:48 EDT 2026)

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