The Secret Library: Chapters 1–6

by Kekla Magoon
With a puzzling map from her beloved grandfather, 11-year-old Dally finds the library of secrets. Here she learns many family secrets, has fantastic adventures, and discovers much more about her own identity.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–6, Chapters 7–15, Chapters 16–23, Chapters 24–39, Chapters 40–54
15 words 32 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. pie chart
    a circular graph divided into triangular sections
    The folder contained a tablet with her slideshow already cued up, plus a full backup printout of her presentation, complete with seventeen graphs, two pie charts, three research articles, and a flip chart of bulleted notes printed in her neatest handwriting.
  2. chignon
    a roll of hair worn at the nape of the neck
    Dally’s mother was always perfectly businesslike. Her wavy brown hair was tucked into a neat chignon at the base of her neck, resting on a crisply ironed blouse collar.
  3. extenuating
    partially excusing or justifying
    “Extenuating circumstances, Grandpa,” Dally whispered back. “If you were really here, you’d understand.”
  4. sketchy
    giving only major points; lacking completeness
    At a glance, the map didn’t make much sense. It was sketchy, and everything was labeled with either letters—DS, PP, PL, AM, TSL, X—or tiny numbers—26, 85, 41.
  5. addendum
    a thing that is attached or included
    At the top of the page, typed, was a small notation that read “The Last Will and Testament of John Peteharrington Jr.: Addendum 17.”
  6. dapper
    marked by up-to-dateness in dress and manners
    He wore a little chauffeur’s hat and a dapper black tie and vest with a gold flower stitched to the lapel.
  7. emanate
    proceed or issue forth, as from a source
    He doffed his cap to Dally and soft-shoed toward the back door with the presence of a performer onstage. She could practically hear strains of old jazz emanating from his bones as he moved.
  8. burnished
    made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing
    Dally reached for the doorknob. Her fingers gripped the burnished metal, and she could have sworn she felt the tiniest of jolts singe her palm.
  9. peruse
    examine or consider with attention and in detail
    The rules of the library are as follows:
    You may peruse the stacks, but you may not remove any secrets without permission.
  10. reverent
    feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
    Secrets may not be shared.
    Finally, please maintain a reverent tone.
  11. unduly
    to an unnecessary degree
    There are many secrets resting here, and you would do well not to disturb them unduly.
  12. waft
    blow gently
    Her mouth formed a shocked little O as the flames crackled and licked, devouring the paper. Soon it was but a cloud of smoke that wafted into the air, leaving behind a surprisingly peachy aroma.
  13. suffuse
    cause to spread or flush or flood through, over, or across
    Her finger traced the books on the shelf at her eye level, and then the one just below. As she touched the spines, the strangest sensations suffused her. Each book seemed to come with a feeling: happiness, sadness, frustration, calm.
  14. carrel
    small individual study area in a library
    The door opened to a small, cramped space, barely bigger than a study carrel, with a single desk and chair and no windows, lit by a dim overhead bulb.
  15. fleeting
    lasting for a markedly brief time
    “How long will it take?” Dally had fleeting thoughts of Mr. Jerry waiting for her on the corner and her tutor waiting for her at home.
Created on Sat Jul 18 15:10:45 EDT 2026 (updated Tue Aug 11 10:25:17 EDT 2026)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.