The Next New Syrian Girl: Chapter 33–Epilogue

by Ream Shukairy
Khadija Shami, a Syrian American high school senior, and Leene Tahir, a Syrian refugee, must unravel a secret that leads them back to Jordan and challenges who they are.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–5, Chapters 6–11, Chapters 12–21, Chapters 22–32, Chapter 33–Epilogue
15 words 1 learner

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. groundbreaking
    introducing new ideas or creative methods
    Maybe since my hijab is new to the spectrum, every day is groundbreaking territory.
  2. vehemently
    in a forceful manner
    Since Mama vehemently objected to my trip, I’ve been feeling like I’m playing with an injured Achilles and that too much movement could tear the tendon.
  3. technicality
    a detail that is considered insignificant
    “You mean keeping things halal? Who cares about technicalities?”
  4. correlation
    a reciprocal connection between two or more things
    He and I both know that age and adulthood have no correlation in our respective cultures.
  5. respective
    considered individually
    He and I both know that age and adulthood have no correlation in our respective cultures.
  6. limbo
    a period of prolonged uncertainty
    Limbo is a word I learned today, specifically to describe this feeling. Perhaps I am perpetually stuck in what Americans call limbo, or perhaps I am finally finding my way out of it.
  7. rebuff
    reject outright and bluntly
    “Well,” she rebuffs, “it is devilry and witchcraft!”
  8. stilted
    stiff and strained; lacking natural ease
    Khadija’s smile is stilted, and Nassima, who is usually so warm with her friend, enforces distance between them.
  9. derelict
    failing in what duty requires
    I didn’t ask to be, but I’m Mama’s Sam, and Nassima is mine, derelict promises aside.
  10. optimistic
    hopeful that the best will happen in the future
    She may sound optimistic, but she levels it with a stoic expression.
  11. stoic
    seeming unaffected by pleasure or pain; impassive
    She may sound optimistic, but she levels it with a stoic expression.
  12. qualm
    uneasiness about the fitness of an action
    Despite her qualms, Mama’s preferred song, Fairuz’s “I Write Your Name, Oh Love,” plays in Zain’s hospital room as Mama sings to him.
  13. unassuming
    not arrogant
    He’s fuming at the desk to the unassuming employees. “I am not comfortable traveling with these—these—”
  14. commandeer
    take arbitrarily or by force
    “Thank you,” I tell the employee who commandeered the operation.
  15. jaded
    exhausted
    Abdul Rahman stands behind Baba with his arms on his hips Arab-style, watching the meat cook and giving pointers about the amount of smoke and heat level. Serious and stern, jaded by a war he never asked for.
Created on Fri Oct 16 22:38:03 EDT 2026 (updated Tue Oct 27 13:42:24 EDT 2026)

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