The Sky at Our Feet: Chapters 1–4

by Nadia Hashimi
Believing that his mother has been deported to Afghanistan, twelve-year-old Jason runs away to New York City, where he meets Max, a mischievous girl with epilepsy.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–4, Chapters 5–10, Chapters 11–15, Chapters 16–21, Chapters 22–34
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. aerial
    existing, living, growing, or operating in the air
    Pigeons, no matter what country they live in, share a few important traits. They are smart birds that can learn aerial tricks and navigate their way back home.
  2. navigate
    direct carefully and safely
    Pigeons, no matter what country they live in, share a few important traits. They are smart birds that can learn aerial tricks and navigate their way back home.
  3. timid
    showing fear and lack of courage
    The others are pretty timid. It took a long time for them not to fly off the rooftop as soon as I opened the hatch to climb up here.
  4. slump
    assume a drooping posture or carriage
    She follows me as I walk, shoulders slumped, to our third-floor apartment.
  5. stall
    deliberately delay an event or action
    The floorboards creak as I shift my weight and stall.
  6. solemnly
    in a serious and dignified manner
    I nod my head solemnly and wait for Ms. Raz to disappear before I open the door.
  7. humidity
    wetness in the atmosphere
    My mother is in the small kitchen with her back turned toward me. I can see her light-blue jeans, her ponytail frizzy from the humidity of the laundromat where she works.
  8. mesh
    an open fabric woven together at regular intervals
    I twist the tip of the faucet off and find a mesh piece inside.
  9. rally
    a large gathering of people intended to arouse enthusiasm
    He's talking about a rally against people who are in this country illegally.
  10. impressive
    making a strong or vivid mental image
    The mountains are tall and proud, more impressive than any skyscraper.
  11. defy
    elude, especially in a baffling way
    Afghanistan is home to the best horsemen—they can defy gravity on the back of a stallion.
  12. wince
    draw back, as with fear or pain
    Other times, she winces and just changes the subject. I think that's when she's remembering the not-so-great stuff about Afghanistan.
  13. embassy
    a building where diplomats live or work
    The embassy said they will give me a student visa to come here.
  14. visa
    an endorsement that allows the bearer to enter a country
    The embassy said they will give me a student visa to come here.
  15. stubborn
    refusing to change one's mind or ways; difficult to convince
    Many people did not like that he was working with Americans. They called him a spy, a traitor. They said terrible things. But he was so stubborn, your father.
  16. confirm
    establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
    "It wasn't a car accident," I say to confirm that the story I've always believed about my father's death is not true.
  17. glaze
    coat with a glossy finish
    Sidewalks were glazed with ice.
  18. linger
    remain present although waning or gradually dying
    The smell of cardamom lingers in the apartment, and I know my mother's already up.
  19. furrow
    make or become wrinkled or creased
    She furrows her brows, pretending to be annoyed that I've figured it out.
  20. reluctant
    not eager
    "But you heard Auntie Seema last night. She says it's no big deal to trust me alone for a few hours and the laundromat is only a fifteen-minute walk from here," I mutter, reluctant to give up completely.
  21. paisley
    a fabric with a colorful swirled pattern of curved shapes
    When she does, my mom points out that Auntie Seema is a fifty-something-year-old woman who wears ripped jeans and paisley bandannas tied around her head.
  22. canvas
    an oil painting on a heavy, closely woven fabric
    She looked at the paintings in Auntie Seema's apartment, canvases of all sizes leaning against the walls.
  23. hunch
    round one's back by bending forward
    I can tell by the way her shoulders are hunched that she's anxious.
  24. swoop
    move down on as if in an attack
    I want to swoop in and tell them that they have no right to do this.
  25. momentarily
    for an instant
    I see her steal a quick glance out the window but only when they have turned their backs to her momentarily.
  26. desperate
    showing extreme urgency or intensity because of great need
    A million times before she's called me her king, but I've never been so desperate to hear it.
  27. bewildered
    extremely confused and uncertain what to do
    One of the men leans into the car and then returns to have another word with Mr. Fazio. They give him some papers. He is still shrugging, bewildered.
  28. blare
    make a loud noise
    There are no flashing lights or blaring sirens.
  29. feat
    a notable achievement
    I've got to get to my aunt. That's what my mother would want me to do. But to get to Auntie Seema is no easy feat.
  30. frenzy
    state of violent mental agitation
    When I hear someone shout, my heart flies into a frenzy.
  31. invalid
    someone who is incapacitated by a chronic illness or injury
    We sent food every day until we saw Ms. Raz walking around outside the way she used to. She told me that day that we didn't have to send food anymore. She wasn't an invalid, she snapped.
  32. casual
    natural and unstudied
    "Hi, Ms. Raz. Everything's good, thanks," I say, trying to keep my voice even and casual as I move up the stairs.
  33. deadbolt
    the part of a lock that is engaged or withdrawn with a key
    I use the key, warm from being pressed against my hip, to open the door, then I close the door behind me and flip the deadbolt closed too.
  34. haste
    overly eager speed and possible carelessness
    I pick up the strainer I've knocked off the counter in my haste and hold it in my hands.
  35. potpourri
    a jar of mixed flower petals and spices used as perfume
    I look at the blue-and-gray sofa, the sun-faded curtain over the kitchen window, and the small bowl of potpourri that stopped smelling like anything three years ago.
Created on Thu Oct 25 20:52:38 EDT 2018 (updated Tue Oct 30 14:10:36 EDT 2018)

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