Ghost Boys: List 4

by Jewell Parker Rhodes
In this thought-provoking exploration of bias and injustice, a twelve-year-old boy meets the ghost of Emmett Till (an African-American teen who was lynched in 1955) in the afterlife.

This list covers pages 113–143 of the 2018 Little, Brown and Company edition.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4, List 5

Here are links to our lists for other books by Jewell Parker Rhodes: Ninth Ward, Towers Falling
30 words 405 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. blankly
    without expression
    “Now, now, that’s an upsetting case.” She gazes blankly into space. “You can research it when you’re older,” she says, flat.
  2. flustered
    thrown into a state of agitated confusion
    “Well,” Ms. Penny says, flustered, “it happens bit by bit. During Black History Month. In history class. Social studies.”
  3. discrimination
    unfair treatment of a person or group based on prejudice
    I was a young girl just like you when the call for civil rights went out. My family was Jewish. We knew discrimination, too. All types of people fought for change.
  4. proverb
    a condensed but memorable saying embodying an important fact
    Ms. Penny closes her eyes, shakes herself, then sighs. “Better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”
    “What’s that mean?”
    “A Chinese proverb. It means I’m going to show you a picture of Emmett Till. I was the same age as you when I saw it.”
  5. roam
    move about aimlessly or without any destination
    I roam, going nowhere.
  6. tangible
    perceptible by the senses, especially the sense of touch
    Why am I still here? Yet not here. I walk among people, invisible, and people still make space for me. Like the weight of my air is tangible.
  7. render
    give or supply
    “Did you react when Jerome Rogers lay wounded on the ground? Did you render aid?”
  8. persist
    refuse to stop
    “Call nine-one-one?” the prosecutor persists.
  9. cite
    call in an official matter, such as to attend court
    “Sustained. Counselor, I’ll cite you for contempt.”
  10. contempt
    disrespect for the authority of a court or legislative body
    “Sustained. Counselor, I’ll cite you for contempt.”
  11. clarification
    an interpretation that removes obstacles to understanding
    “Sorry, Your Honor. Just seeking clarification on the unconscionable lack of aid.”
  12. unconscionable
    lacking a sense of right conduct
    “Sorry, Your Honor. Just seeking clarification on the unconscionable lack of aid.”
  13. hoarse
    deep and harsh sounding as if from shouting or illness
    Before the judge bangs her gavel, Officer Moore answers hoarsely, “No. No aid.”
  14. erupt
    release suddenly and often violently something pent up
    The room erupts. Chaos. Sarah and her mom hold tight to each other.
  15. chaos
    a state of extreme confusion and disorder
    The room erupts. Chaos. Sarah and her mom hold tight to each other.
  16. adjourn
    close at the end of a session
    “Court’s adjourned. Tomorrow. Nine a.m. We begin again tomorrow.”
  17. solemnly
    in a serious and dignified manner
    Carlos’s smile slips. He says solemnly, “Nope. Couldn’t ever. Chicago’s home now.”
  18. profile
    an outline of something, especially a face from the side
    Carlos stands in profile.
  19. testimony
    a solemn statement made under oath
    “Objection. Not a question. Repeat testimony.”
  20. uproar
    a state of commotion and noise and confusion
    Then, turning back to the stand, says loudly, seriously, “Why was the child shot in the back?”
    Uproar. Panic. Stomping. Cameras flashing.
  21. activist
    a reformer who works to achieve social or political change
    Community activists are demanding justice.
  22. hunch
    round one's back by bending forward
    In the kitchen, Ma, shoulders hunched, barely eats, speaks.
  23. tragic
    very sad, especially involving grief or death or destruction
    “The circumstances are beyond a doubt tragic. The court truly regrets the death of Jerome Rogers. But...”
  24. temper
    restrain
    “...justice is tempered by the fact that a police officer’s job is incredibly hard and complicated..."
  25. excessive
    beyond normal limits
    “In the opinion of this court, there is not enough evidence to charge Officer Moore with excessive force, manslaughter, or murder.”
  26. manslaughter
    recklessly causing someone's death without intending to
    “In the opinion of this court, there is not enough evidence to charge Officer Moore with excessive force, manslaughter, or murder.”
  27. fierce
    marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions
    Feet planted strong, Carlos says, “Kim es mi familia.” Fiercely, he repeats, “Ella es mi familia.”
  28. truce
    a state of peace agreed to between opponents
    All four—Carlos, Eddie, Mike, and Snap—walk my sister to class.
    Not quite a new alliance. Just a truce.
  29. percussion
    section of a band or orchestra that plays struck instruments
    Both of us like percussion. Maybe we could’ve saved money to buy drumsticks?
  30. somber
    serious and gloomy in character
    Her face is somber, strained like when we hear shots outside our apartment window.
Created on Fri Jun 15 20:26:32 EDT 2018 (updated Mon Jun 25 11:18:30 EDT 2018)

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