The Misfits: A Royal Conundrum: Chapters 16–26

by Lisa Yee
Olive is sent to a private school where she is teamed up with other "misfit" gifted students as part of an undercover crime-fighting crew. Their big assignment: Save their school.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–5, Chapters 6–10, Chapters 11–15, Chapters 16–26, Chapter 27–Epilogue
15 words 9 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. briny
    slightly salty
    An hour later, when they emerged from the sea soaking wet, laughing and spitting up briny water, shame washed over Olive.
  2. emporium
    a large shop organized into sections
    In the past week, he had hit three places: a jewelry emporium, a luxury yacht, and the most impressive (or disturbing, depending on what side of politics you were on) of all, a fundraiser at the mayor’s house.
  3. cover story
    a made-up account to hide the truth or one's identity
    While they hadn’t been officially assigned to the gala, as both RASCH students and NOCK operatives, they were expected to be in attendance one way or another, under various cover stories.
  4. socialite
    one who is well known or prominent in fashionable circles
    And even though the Bling King was on the rise, Olive just knew that it wouldn’t stop the socialites from flaunting their jewels.
  5. lineage
    the kinship relation between an individual and progenitors
    Olive, who resembled the Chinese side of her family, as opposed to her father’s Anglo-Saxon lineage, admitted, “Sorry, I only speak English.”
  6. croon
    sing softly
    “Shall we begin?” the voice crooned.
  7. debrief
    elicit a report from someone about a mission, job, or event
    Modest and Monica sent the team to San Francisco on an assignment, where they were instructed to follow Phil on where to be debriefed.
  8. wheelhouse
    an enclosed compartment from which a vessel can be navigated
    In the center of the wheelhouse was a man with a big white mustache, wearing a captain’s uniform.
  9. cutlass
    a short curved sword with one edge
    From the display of swords, Monica removed a cutlass that once belonged to Blackbeard, the pirate.
  10. precarious
    not secure; beset with difficulties
    Given RASCH’s precarious financial situation, Butter Bakery breads and pastries were now rationed to one per student for each meal.
  11. begrudgingly
    in an unwilling manner
    James looked at Iggy, who winked and said begrudgingly, “Yeah, I’d save your life, but only if it means extra credit.”
  12. ergonomic
    designed to maximize workers' comfort and efficiency
    She rolled her high-tech ergonomic chair into her workshop and called out, “We’re just extra eyes and ears, remember?”
  13. acutely
    in a sharp or intense manner
    They were expected to be both stealthy and acutely aware of everything going on at once while ushering people to their seats if needed.
  14. benefactor
    a person who helps people or institutions
    Despite an ornery group of benefactors who had elected not to come, Dame Gloria Vanderwisp’s presence—and the lure of seeing the Royal Rumpus in person—had managed to sell out the gala, making this the event of the season.
  15. painstakingly
    in a very careful manner
    Olive had glimpsed Poppy and Auntie Winnie painstakingly making the mini chocolate treasure chests filled with brownie bottom cheesecakes and topped with sugar gems, gummy skulls, and edible pearls, and she was as proud of their desserts as if she had made them herself.
Created on Thu Oct 08 19:11:35 EDT 2026 (updated Tue Nov 03 13:46:07 EST 2026)

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