The Benefits of Being an Octopus: Chapters 14–20

by Ann Braden
At school, Zoey hopes no one will notice her. After school, she takes care of her younger siblings while her mom struggles to make ends meet. But when her social studies teacher asks Zoey to join the debate club, Zoey might finally learn to speak up for herself and her family.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–6, Chapters 7–13, Chapters 14–20, Chapters 21–28
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. glee
    great merriment
    Connor hands Hector to me as Hector lets out a cackle of glee.
  2. bend over backwards
    try very hard to please someone
    She peers at me. “So, there are people bending over backwards to make this happen?”
  3. rubric
    an authoritative rule of conduct or procedure
    “But what?” She puts down the stack of rubrics she’s holding.
  4. discredit
    cause to be distrusted or disbelieved
    “To discredit someone means to undermine them,” she says.
  5. distinction
    a discrimination between things as different
    “But there’s an important distinction you all need to pay close attention to. You are not trying to undermine your opponent as a person. You are simply trying to undermine their argument. Who can give me an example of what that means?”
  6. undermine
    weaken or impair, especially gradually
    “But there’s an important distinction you all need to pay close attention to. You are not trying to undermine your opponent as a person. You are simply trying to undermine their argument. Who can give me an example of what that means?”
  7. systematic
    characterized by order and planning
    “It’s like if someone was arguing we shouldn’t have affirmative action in colleges because it’s an unfair advantage,” Kyla says, “and then I point out that the real unfair part is the four hundred years of systematic oppression that made it harder for African Americans to go to good schools and get good jobs just because of the color of their skin.”
  8. oppression
    the state of being kept down by unjust use of authority
    “It’s like if someone was arguing we shouldn’t have affirmative action in colleges because it’s an unfair advantage,” Kyla says, “and then I point out that the real unfair part is the four hundred years of systematic oppression that made it harder for African Americans to go to good schools and get good jobs just because of the color of their skin.”
  9. appropriate
    suitable for a particular person, place, or situation
    Matt raises his hand. “If we were talking about the dress code, it wouldn’t be appropriate if I told Lydia that she can’t be objective about it since she’s a girl and girls are obsessed with how they look.”
  10. objective
    undistorted by emotion or personal bias
    Matt raises his hand. “If we were talking about the dress code, it wouldn’t be appropriate if I told Lydia that she can’t be objective about it since she’s a girl and girls are obsessed with how they look.”
  11. brainstorm
    try to solve a problem by thinking intensely about it
    At debate club the following Monday when we’re going to be brainstorming ideas that could be our “prepared topic” for the tournament, I take my seat and get out my notebook like I always do.
  12. protocol
    code of correct conduct
    “Attention! Attention!” an automated voice comes over the loudspeaker. “This is a lockdown. This is a lockdown. Follow lockdown protocols immediately. This is a lockdown. Follow lockdown protocols immediately.”
  13. colonize
    establish political control over a place by sending settlers
    I know. I have so many more good ideas
    for topics that I haven’t gotten to say yet.
    Like what?
    Whether we should colonize Mars.
  14. dawdle
    take one's time; proceed slowly
    Even if the voice over the intercom releases us like nothing happened, is she going to dawdle back over to the whiteboard and continue adding to the topic list?
  15. glower
    look angry or sullen as if to signal disapproval
    Frank is glowering at me like he’s going to grab the phone back any second.
  16. incarnate
    possessing or existing in bodily form
    He leans forward. “They’re all going to get their panties in a bunch and start blaming guns like they’re the devil incarnate, just like they did at those public hearings a year ago. They’ll be knocking down our door trying to take ours away before you know it.”
  17. viewpoint
    a mental position from which things are considered
    She keeps on talking. “And this time I want you to come ready to speak up. I think your viewpoint is going to be particularly valuable.”
  18. statistic
    a datum that can be represented numerically
    “These will have relevant statistics and ideas for talking points to help you get started. You’ll be working in your table groups to prepare, and then tomorrow I’ll be selecting one person from each table to take part in our mock debate."
  19. rational
    consistent with or based on or using reason
    Because they couldn’t be upset about something rational like Frank’s constant smoking or the fact that the three of us have to share a room together.
    No, it’s the shape of the bedroom lamp that’s the real evil in the world.
  20. cringe
    draw back, as with fear, pain, or embarrassment
    I cringe as I watch my mom, Little Miss Clueless, shake her head as she turns to face the wall.
  21. smug
    marked by excessive complacency or self-satisfaction
    I wanted to be like Matt and Lydia. With their notes and their laptops and their smug little faces.
  22. grovel
    show submission or fear
    This is where I need Ms. Rochambeau to drive me across town. But the only thing I know for sure is that there’s no way I’m crawling back, groveling, to ask for a measly ride.
  23. measly
    contemptibly small in amount
    This is where I need Ms. Rochambeau to drive me across town. But the only thing I know for sure is that there’s no way I’m crawling back, groveling, to ask for a measly ride.
  24. warrant
    show to be reasonable or provide adequate ground for
    My mom glares at me because clearly I’ve done something horrible to warrant having to hide in the bathroom to talk about it.
  25. skulk
    move stealthily
    “We sure are.” She nods to Bryce who’s skulking up behind them like he wants to hug her, but he doesn’t think he should.
  26. gullible
    naive and easily deceived or tricked
    “Yeah, I know that’s what you told your mom, but I’m not as gullible as she is.” He raises his eyebrows at me like we’re sharing some special secret.
  27. gruff
    blunt and unfriendly or stern
    When I’ve finally gotten Bryce and Aurora into bed—but not yet to sleep—I hear Frank’s gruff voice from the living room over the noise of the TV.
  28. bail
    money forfeited if the accused fails to appear in court
    “Yeah, and then one of his buddies will post bail for him, and I’ll be dead before the trial even starts.” She snaps the makeup mirror shut. “I feel better now that I told you, though. Thanks.”
  29. hitch
    travel by getting free rides from motorists
    The driveway is empty, which means Lenny and my mom drove rather than hitching a ride from someone else.
  30. jostle
    come into rough contact with while moving
    “Come on!” Bryce jostles me.
Created on Tue May 14 11:59:39 EDT 2019 (updated Tue May 14 16:43:22 EDT 2019)

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