The House That Lou Built: Chapters 20–26

by Mae Respicio
Living in her grandmother's cramped home, thirteen-year-old Lou longs for a private space. But her plans to build a tiny house of her own are jeopardized when she must fight to save the land she inherited from her father.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–3, Chapters 4–8, Chapters 9–13, Chapters 14–19, Chapters 20–26
35 words 7 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. barge
    push one's way
    “I was trying to save things!”
    “By barging in on a county official?” Maribel told her everything.
  2. tasteful
    in keeping with what is considered appropriate and stylish
    “A few relatives and close friends. Beautiful prayers. People gave little speeches about him, and Grandpa Ted and I held hands. Gemma called it very tasteful.” She pauses.
  3. sheer
    so thin as to transmit light
    He wore a barong, a sheer ivory shirt made from pineapple fabric that Filipinos wear to weddings and baptisms and things.
  4. hardship
    something that causes or entails suffering
    “They sent money home. Every hardship they endured was for their families,” Lolo would say.
  5. endure
    undergo or be subjected to
    “They sent money home. Every hardship they endured was for their families,” Lolo would say.
  6. cue
    give a signal, prompt, or reminder
    Cue the music.
  7. blurt
    utter impulsively
    A long pause until finally I blurt out, “Did you have something to do with Mr. K and a news station contest?”
  8. auteur
    a filmmaker who has a personal style
    “My dad said I should film on my own because that’s what auteur directors’ do, but I don’t really want to. I’ll need more help.”
  9. gavel
    a small mallet used by a presiding officer or a judge
    Then Mr. Keller shape-shifted into Mr. Rodrigo, who pounded an auction gavel, and the dream ended with Mom and me skydiving into Washington State.
  10. frilly
    having decorative ruffles or similar ornamentation
    I pull at a thread on my skirt. Alexa’s skirt, actually. The girls came over early and helped me get ready. I didn’t want to dress so frilly, but I didn’t have time to change before Mr. Keller picked us up.
  11. lapel
    a fold of fabric below the collar of a coat or jacket
    “How do I look?” he asks.
    “Snazzy!” I straighten his lapel and try not to pay attention to my prickly nerves as we head inside.
  12. prickle
    cause a stinging or tingling sensation
    “How do I look?” he asks.
    “Snazzy!” I straighten his lapel and try not to pay attention to my prickly nerves as we head inside.
  13. arugula
    an edible, leafy green plant with a peppery or bitter taste
    “We'll be starting soon, kids,” she whispers excitedly. She picks her teeth with her pinky. “Any arugula stuck in there, or am I in the clear?”
  14. exemplify
    be characteristic of
    “And we’re back with my favorite news story of the year! We ask teachers all over Northern California to nominate the student they believe exemplifies a leader of tomorrow, and I am thrilled to be sitting here with three of our local best and brightest...our winners!”
  15. daze
    confusion characterized by lack of clarity
    I'm in a daze where I can't hear what she’s saying or how the other winners respond, even though I can see their mouths moving.
  16. intriguing
    capable of arousing interest or curiosity
    “Lou, your goal here is most intriguing....I understand you’re building...a tiny house?”
  17. muster
    summon up, call forth, or bring together
    “Yup.” It’s all I can muster with a room of big cameras and bright lights staring at me. It’s not like when Jack films.
  18. coincidence
    an accidental event that seems to have been arranged
    “This is such a coincidence, because I am completely addicted to the home and design channels and I’ve heard about these itty-bitty homes. Although where do you go to the bathroom?” she says, cackling.
  19. cackle
    emit a loud, unpleasant kind of laughing
    “This is such a coincidence, because I am completely addicted to the home and design channels and I’ve heard about these itty-bitty homes. Although where do you go to the bathroom?” she says, cackling.
  20. humongous
    very large
    Behind her on set is a humongous screen where I see myself: sawing, hammering, and blowing bangs out of my eyes as I concentrate.
  21. knack
    a special way of doing something
    “Lucinda has a unique knack for bringing her ideas to life,” Mr. Keller says.
  22. scowl
    a facial expression of dislike or displeasure
    “Hoy!" Auntie Gemma says in her best Filipino scowl. “That's none of your concern.”
  23. bustle
    move or cause to move energetically or busily
    The senior center’s parking lot bustles with action.
  24. waft
    blow gently
    Uncles in aprons start up the grills, and delicious smells waft through.
  25. aggressive
    showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends
    “I’ll give you ten,” she says. I’m about to say yes when Lola steps in.
    “Sixty,” Lola says forcefully.
    “Fifteen,” the lady says, just as aggressively.
  26. frantically
    in an uncontrolled manner
    Miss Jovy runs through the parking lot frantically, gathering stray kids. She points at me. “You! Dressing room! Now!”
  27. kerchief
    a square scarf folded into a triangle and worn over the head
    The girls wear their hair in tight low buns and the boys have kerchiefs around their necks.
  28. silhouette
    an outline of a solid object as cast by its shadow
    The pole holders walk onstage first, carrying the long bamboo reeds, their silhouettes on the screen the only thing visible to the audience.
  29. colossal
    so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
    Happy sounds bounce off the walls as everyone gathers onstage—dancers, family, friends. It’s a colossal Filipino party.
  30. unison
    the act of occurring together or simultaneously
    “Happy birthday!” they shout in unison, throwing their arms up like a synchronized act.
  31. embroider
    decorate with needlework
    “I took it from Lola’s garage. Look,” Sheryl says, and she shows me a name embroidered on it: Ernie Bulosan. Lolo’s.
  32. reel
    a winder around which flexible materials can be wound
    “Thank you for all the videos....What they showed at the news studio, that was so awesome.”
    “Not bad, huh? I can put it on my demo reel now.”
  33. frazzle
    exhaust physically or emotionally
    A video’s on the screen, and I press Play.
    The first person to pop up looks frazzled, but then the camera widens and you see why: She’s working hard at making something.
  34. stock
    provide or furnish with a supply of something
    Moving day has turned into a party, with uncles carrying in boxes, aunties in the kitchen stocking cupboards, and Mom excited and ready to decorate.
  35. keepsake
    something of sentimental value
    My original idea was to make a keepsake holder, but now I’m not so sure. It’s okay; I’m learning that sometimes plans change, so I guess I’ll find out.
Created on Wed Mar 13 22:03:02 EDT 2019 (updated Wed Mar 20 12:15:39 EDT 2019)

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