The Secret Library: Chapters 7–15

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 9 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. topiary
    a garden having shrubs clipped into decorative shapes
    She was standing on grass, among bushes. Not just any bushes: the carefully trimmed and cultivated hedges of the topiary garden at Peteharrington Place.
  2. smattering
    a small number or amount
    A smattering of tools lay in the clearing, but Hector had his eyes raised to the leafy beasts.
  3. docent
    a guide who leads others on a tour
    The docent giving the tour at the jail had made a point of mentioning the Peteharringtons’ generosity several times.
  4. pique
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
    Dally’s interest was officially piqued.
  5. interminable
    tiresomely long; seemingly without end
    The weekend of waiting was positively interminable.
  6. unrequited
    not returned in kind
    The librarian walked Dally farther into the stacks, pointing out shelves dedicated to Unrequited Love, Transgressions, Deathbed Confessions, Withheld for Someone’s Own Good, I’m Not Who They Think I Am, and more.
  7. transgression
    the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle
    The librarian walked Dally farther into the stacks, pointing out shelves dedicated to Unrequited Love, Transgressions, Deathbed Confessions, Withheld for Someone’s Own Good, I’m Not Who They Think I Am, and more.
  8. alcove
    a small recess opening off a large room or garden
    The alcove behind the curtain was lined with bookcases. A small gold plaque on the lip of the second-highest shelf read PRIVATE: LIBRARIAN.
  9. tartan
    a crisscross design or a cloth having such a design
    Dally spun out of the black into a world of color. First impression: fabric for days. Floral patterns and tartans, polka dots and sheer gauzy pastels. She was standing among racks of flowing scarves and shawls.
  10. savvy
    the ability to shrewdly understand or judge things
    Marcus spun around. “‘Oh, dearie my!’” he quoted. “Never question my savvy with pop culture references.”
  11. admonition
    cautionary advice about something imminent
    With Jennacake’s admonitions about secrecy ringing in her ears, Dally couldn’t say anything to prompt her mother about the story.
  12. portly
    fairly large
    Someone was coming out! Two people, actually. One was a short, elderly man—barely taller than Dally herself—in a top hat and vest, its buttons strained across his portly chest. The other was a slightly younger, slightly taller, slightly less portly woman in a smart skirt suit with an elegant top bun and moon-shaped spectacles.
  13. brandish
    move or swing back and forth
    “You’re not worrying enough, Dad. These numbers”—Kate brandished a sheaf of papers—“they’re catastrophic.”
  14. gallivant
    wander aimlessly in search of pleasure
    Kate spread her hands wide in frustration. “Maybe if you spent more time here and less off gallivanting God knows where, you’d know what it takes to keep this place up and running.”
  15. lucrative
    producing a sizeable profit
    It had all started as one small dry goods store, but today, the family business operated successfully across many lucrative industries: construction, real estate, shipping, investments.
Created on Sat Jul 18 15:11:51 EDT 2026 (updated Tue Aug 11 10:36:00 EDT 2026)

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