The List of Things That Will Not Change: List 2

by Rebecca Stead
As her dad prepares to remarry, twelve-year-old Bea reflects on her parents divorce and looks forward to developing a relationship with her new stepsister.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: List 1, List 2
15 words 95 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. garnish
    something added to a dish for flavor or decoration
    Angus had made us each a tall ginger ale, and now he was decorating them with fruit from the garnish tray.
  2. calligraphy
    beautiful handwriting
    Sheila bought a calligraphy pen and addressed all the envelopes herself.
  3. rabies
    an acute viral disease transmitted by animal bites
    The bat flew away. Mom said she wasn’t opening a window for a year. Then she told me that we had to get rabies shots.
  4. groom
    care for one's external appearance
    Brushing Floo-floo made me feel good. Red won't let you anywhere near him with a brush. Mom says he prefers to do his own grooming.
  5. interpretation
    the act of expressing something in an artistic performance
    Our colonial breakfast wasn't at breakfast time—it started at 2:30, a half hour before dismissal. But Mr. Home said it was a “loose interpretation” of a colonial breakfast, anyway.
  6. colonist
    one who settles or establishes a settlement in a new region
    I had the job of introducing Jesse to the class, so when everyone was in their spots, I said, “The colonists ate oysters, too. New York Harbor used to be full of them. This is Jesse—he’s my dad’s fiancé, and he’s also an oyster expert.”
  7. fiance
    a man who is engaged to be married
    I had the job of introducing Jesse to the class, so when everyone was in their spots, I said, “The colonists ate oysters, too. New York Harbor used to be full of them. This is Jesse—he’s my dad’s fiancé, and he’s also an oyster expert.”
  8. rational
    consistent with or based on or using reason
    “I wonder if it feels like turning into an animal. A wild animal.”
    “Most animals are completely rational, Bea.”
  9. formal
    adhering to traditional standards of correctness
    After he shook Dad's hand, Mission turned to me. “And may I shake your hand, Bea?” He was so formal.
  10. sprawl
    sit or lie with one's limbs spread out
    We were all sprawled on the tiny beach next to our dock one afternoon—me, Angelica, James, Jojo, a boy from cabin 5, and two sisters from cabin 11.
  11. edible
    suitable for use as food
    “Anyway, it’s not done yet,” Lizette said, “My grandma is bringing all these edible flowers to decorate it. She likes to do that part at the last minute, so they’re fresh. Just wait till you see it finished.”
  12. karma
    effects of one's actions that determine his or her destiny
    “That wasn't why. I know why it happened. Karma. I got bad karma.”
    “You what?”
    “Bad luck, I brought it on myself. I threw away a toad.”
  13. coincidence
    an accidental event that seems to have been arranged
    “But it might have been a coincidence about the toad,” I said. “I really don’t think that’s why you got sick.”
  14. portage
    carrying boats and supplies overland
    “No, it was great. It was amazing. We hiked and climbed and kayaked, and every night we set up our camp and cooked our food. That food tasted unbelievable. Do you know what portage is?”
    I guessed. “Mushrooms?”
  15. reception
    a formal party
    The party after a wedding is called a reception. Our reception was supposed to be "food and dancing.”
Created on Thu Jun 25 20:42:25 EDT 2020 (updated Wed Jul 15 09:52:13 EDT 2020)

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