The Queen Bees of Tybee County: Chapters 22–31

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
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. ornate
    marked by complexity and richness of detail
    Last night, my mind bloomed with dreams of sparkling, soft-petaled dresses unfurling like flowers; shapely, ornate gowns; and stage lights sending dazzling stars shooting in every direction.
  2. bodice
    part of a dress above the waist
    I think of the majestic purple-and-gold dress Claudia made, and the tiger stitched among the peonies on the bodice.
  3. devious
    turning away from a straight course
    A devious look passes between the three of us, as if we’re scheming a bank heist.
  4. scour
    examine minutely
    He scours his phone. “Here it is...." ‘According to pageant rules,’” Giles reads, “‘the contestant must be in good standing with the director, be prepared to perform all group choreography...’”
  5. prim
    affectedly dainty or refined
    “Well, Chinese silk looks delicate and prim, but it’s strong. Stronger than other silks.”
  6. stickler
    someone who insists on something
    Claudia waves the words away. “Better to have the paperwork in order, though, don’t you think? You know me, I’m a stickler for details.”
  7. exuberant
    joyously unrestrained
    Faye hurries into the light like she’s been searching for it all her life. She fixes on an exuberant smile and briskly struts the catwalk.
  8. tentatively
    in a hesitant manner
    In the mirror, I watch Ro and Giles angle to look too.
    “It’s pretty...” Ro says tentatively.
    “But it’s not exactly what we’re going for,” Giles finishes.
  9. unpredictable
    not capable of being foretold
    I remember my first day in Heritage, when I first saw this dress. It felt like chasing lightning. Wild and unpredictable, a dangerous thrill I was terrified to follow. I had no idea where it would lead me.
  10. tress
    (usually plural) a long lock of hair
    Silky black tresses frame her cheeks, coursing down each shoulder like brilliant waterfalls.
  11. marred
    blemished by injury or rough wear
    The face of the tiger, peeking out from the peonies, is now marred with speckles.
  12. akimbo
    with hands on hips and elbows extending outward
    “This wasn’t an accident,” she says, putting her arms akimbo. “Someone did this.”
  13. chasm
    an unbridgeable gap, break, or disagreement
    Claudia’s eyes flash, like the earth just cracked a chasm between us.
    “Wha—why would you say that, Derrick?”
  14. parse
    analyze in detail in order to discover essential features
    I parse my thoughts, but there’s too much to sift through. In the end, I realize that I have nothing to lose.
  15. prejudice
    a partiality preventing objective consideration of an issue
    But it doesn’t feel like it’s just about me anymore. It’s about Claudia striving her entire life to be seen for who she is, instead of being rejected for what she is not. It’s about prejudice dashing my dad’s dreams, chaining him down before he could even fly from the nest.
Created on Mon Jun 08 17:12:56 EDT 2026 (updated Fri Jun 19 19:04:51 EDT 2026)

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