Forged by Fire: Chapters 16–24

by Sharon M. Draper
Gerald has faced many tough situations — the imprisonment of his mother, the death of his beloved aunt, and the abuse of his stepfather — but he is determined to make a better life for himself and his sister Angel. Learn these words from the second novel in the Hazelwood High trilogy.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–15, Chapters 16–24

Here are links to our lists for other books by Sharon M. Draper: Tears of a Tiger, Copper Sun, Out of My Mind, Stella by Starlight, Blended
35 words 446 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. rehabilitate
    restore someone to a good state of health or reputation
    “Oh, but I am her daddy, boy, and court says I been rehabilitated. Court says I get visitation rights. Court says you ain’t got nothin’ to say about that!”
  2. flustered
    thrown into a state of agitated confusion
    Monique seemed flustered and nervous.
  3. purge
    rid of impurities
    He wanted to beat something, to cry, to scream, but all he could do was listen to Angel as she threw up the way she used to, the only way she knew to purge the tension of Jordan’s presence in the house.
  4. severity
    excessive sternness
    “Oh, no! Has he...has he done anything?” he asked with severity in his voice.
  5. bleak
    offering little or no hope
    “Is Angel okay up there?” he asked, glancing up at the bleak and depressing apartment building.
  6. probation
    a trial period when an offender has time to redeem himself
    “I heard him tell Monique that he got a job, and reports to his probation officer right on time. He even volunteers at an old-folks home once a week, just to make it look good. But I know he hasn’t changed. I just know it.”
  7. stifle
    impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of
    Even across the gym, it seemed she could smell his stifling cologne.
  8. sequin
    a small disk of shiny material used to decorate clothing
    No other mother came to the recital dressed in red sequins.
  9. overture
    orchestral music at the beginning of an opera or musical
    The stage was dark for a moment, and silent; then suddenly, with a burst of golden light and an orchestral overture from the CD player behind the curtain, Angel stepped onto the stage.
  10. ovation
    enthusiastic recognition
    Gradually, the applause grew from very small to a thunderous standing ovation for the little girl who took her bows with tears in her eyes.
  11. commonplace
    completely ordinary and unremarkable
    Fire and emergency sirens were commonplace in the neighborhood—the city’s largest hospital was just around the corner.
  12. stability
    a constant order, especially of society
    What he knew she needed was some stability and a release from fear.
  13. daze
    overcome as with astonishment or disbelief
    She seemed dazed and confused, but was well enough to ask about Jordan.
  14. curt
    speaking in a terse, rude, or abrupt way
    “He’s not here, Monique. He doesn’t even know you’re here. I don’t know where he is,” replied Gerald curtly.
  15. strain
    a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
    Finally, she stood up and moved lightly to the final strains of the melody.
  16. bellow
    shout loudly and without restraint
    It was then that she heard him bellow, “WHO STOLE MY AIR CONDITIONER?”
  17. gape
    be wide open
    She glanced over to the gaping hole where the air-conditioning unit had been, and gasped.
  18. retort
    answer back
    “So let him sweat like the rest of us,” Gerald retorted.
  19. seething
    in constant agitation
    He was angry—hot, seething angry—but he knew that, because of Angel, he had to control himself.
  20. input
    a statement that expresses a personal opinion
    It was a good feeling to be able to listen to her input.
  21. dignity
    formality in bearing and appearance
    “Hey, Gerald, I thought you was my man. You sound like the coach—and it was six points, thank you. I got more important things on my mind tonight,” added Andy with fake dignity.
  22. husky
    deep and harsh sounding
    “Please do,” answered Mr. Washington huskily.
  23. wary
    marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
    She wished she had run out when he’d first walked in, but she had stopped being wary, stopped being afraid.
  24. lurch
    move haltingly and unsteadily
    Jordan lurched forward and grabbed her arm.
  25. fumble
    feel about uncertainly or blindly
    Finding only silence and smoke, Gerald fumbled hastily for his key.
  26. engulf
    flow over or cover completely
    Gerald panicked a moment as his memories of flames engulfed him.
  27. glee
    great merriment
    He glanced toward the kitchen, which the flames were consuming with glee, and headed across the living room toward Angel’s bedroom.
  28. intent
    giving or marked by complete attention to
    So intent was he that he didn’t even notice Gerald.
  29. totter
    move unsteadily, with a rocking motion
    The TV tottered for a moment, then plunged with a crash to the floor.
  30. ease
    move gently or carefully
    Gerald glanced over at the helpless Angel, eased himself across the floor, and grabbed Jordan’s leg.
  31. heave
    breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
    He stopped at the landing, gasping and heaving, barely able to breathe the thin, clear air near the floor.
  32. shrill
    being sharply insistent on being heard
    “I told you my kids was in here! Hurry up!” she demanded shrilly.
  33. thrash
    move or stir about violently
    Angel’s eyelids fluttered, then her eyes rolled in fear as she thrashed her arms wildly, pulling off the oxygen mask and screaming in terror.
  34. incoherent
    without logical or meaningful connection
    “Jordan! No! Fire!” she whispered incoherently.
  35. forge
    make something, usually for a specific function
    With the flames and fear behind them, Gerald and Angel rode together to the music of the sirens which had decorated their past and would forge their future.
Created on Wed Oct 24 14:53:34 EDT 2018 (updated Mon Aug 12 09:54:29 EDT 2019)

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