The Secret Library: Chapters 40–54

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 6 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. copse
    a dense growth of trees, shrubs, or bushes
    At the edge of the yard was a copse of trees, though they seemed a bit blurry, with nothing but a gray mist behind.
  2. cover story
    a made-up account to hide the truth or one's identity
    “It’s past bedtime, Delilah. Where were you?”
    Ummm. Dally struggled to come up with a cover story. “I forgot I needed to put something in my backpack for show-and-tell.”
  3. niggle
    worry unnecessarily or excessively
    Dally closed her eyes, but a new question was niggling in the back of her mind.
  4. banter
    converse in a playful or teasing way
    She remembered the comfort of Grandpa’s arms and of Hannah and Jasper bantering about which leftovers to serve for dinner.
  5. errant
    moving in an uncontrolled, irregular, or unpredictable way
    A few errant chickens pecked the ground next to a raised coop at the far side of the yard.
  6. awry
    away from the correct or expected course
    Their work remained rather mysterious to her, but Jennacake had once said the society members’ role involved “seeking remedies” when things went awry in the library.
  7. resounding
    unmistakable; clearly revealed to the mind or judgment
    “I’d like to try something else again at some point,” she said out loud to the library, but she was met with a resounding silence.
  8. elusive
    difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
    His hair was mussed, his eyes wild, searching the room as if he’d find some elusive answer tucked away in a familiar corner.
  9. palatial
    relating to or being a large and stately residence
    “You can wait in my room,” he said, leading the way up the palatial staircase and into the wing that would someday be Dally’s.
  10. hubris
    overbearing pride or presumption
    “I put too much into building this place,” Jay admitted. “And now that the business isn’t doing as well, the hubris is coming back to bite me.”
  11. ebb
    a gradual decline in size or strength or power
    “There are ebbs and flows in everything,” said his wife. “Maybe we can hang on long enough to see the tide come in again.”
  12. destitute
    poor enough to need help from others
    “No one needs to go treasure hunting. We’re not destitute here. There’s no shame in selling the property, Jay, if it comes to that.
  13. intimidate
    compel or deter by or as if by threats
    But behind Jack, the fog billowed closer, as if to remind Dally of her place, her fate, her destiny. She glared at the rippling white wall as if she could intimidate it, but it only undulated nearer.
  14. undulate
    move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion
    But behind Jack, the fog billowed closer, as if to remind Dally of her place, her fate, her destiny. She glared at the rippling white wall as if she could intimidate it, but it only undulated nearer.
  15. predecessor
    one who goes before you in time
    Suddenly, Dally knew she hadn’t asked nearly enough questions of her predecessor.
Created on Sat Jul 18 15:15:11 EDT 2026 (updated Tue Aug 11 11:18:36 EDT 2026)

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