This is My America: List 1

by Kim Johnson
Tracy, a seventeen-year-old living in Texas, tries to prove that both her father and brother are innocent of the crimes of which they've been accused.

This list covers "Friday, April 23"–"Flesh and Blood."

Here are links to our lists for the novel: List 1, List 2, List 3, List 4
35 words 464 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. in vain
    without a successful result or effect
    The fight for Daddy’s appeal won’t be in vain.
  2. compelling
    tending to persuade by forcefulness of argument
    All the other interviews have the common thread of compelling American stories: a boy who battled cancer; an almost career-ending torn ACL; a girl hiding her gender at football tryouts.
  3. poised
    in full control of your faculties
    Poised and ready, Susan Touric faces the camera marked NBS ONE.
  4. gaudy
    tastelessly showy
    Susan’s dressed in a white blouse and a gaudy necklace of choice for the day.
  5. modest
    humble in spirit or manner
    He gives her a modest smile.
  6. composed
    serenely self-possessed and free from agitation
    Jamal stays composed.
  7. flounder
    have difficulties; behave awkwardly
    “Yes. Ma’am. He’s...umm.” Jamal shoots a look at Mama. He’s starting to flounder.
  8. breach
    a failure to perform some promised act or obligation
    The crew is buzzing, scrambling at the breach of contract.
  9. prod
    urge on; cause to act
    Jamal smiles, unaffected by her prodding questions.
  10. exonerate
    pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
    “Do you know how many men have been put to death who were later exonerated postmortem?”
  11. postmortem
    occurring or done after death
    “Do you know how many men have been put to death who were later exonerated postmortem?”
  12. parameter
    any factor defining a system and determining its performance
    “I stayed within my parameters,” Susan says.
  13. abet
    assist or encourage, usually in some wrongdoing
    “If I take you to Polunsky, I’m not aiding and abetting, am I?”
  14. unyielding
    stubbornly unwilling to give in
    Her tone stays sharp with him. Unyielding. Unforgiving.
  15. penance
    voluntary self-punishment in order to atone for something
    He spent his time in prison only to come home to a new prison, where he’s free, but serving his own penance through harsh glances and judging looks.
  16. sprawl
    go, come, or spread in a rambling or irregular way
    A black garbage bag is sprawled on the ground in front of his feet, confirming he’s the one just released.
  17. altercation
    a noisy, angry argument or fight between people
    My heart stops, hoping this doesn’t turn into some altercation that’ll shut down visiting hour while they go into lockdown. Or worse, I witness Daddy getting into it with someone.
  18. venture
    a commercial undertaking that risks a loss
    It’s true Daddy and Mark Davidson had gotten into an argument the day before, but it was because Mark didn’t want to join their business venture with Jackson Ridges, just with Daddy.
  19. rehabilitation
    the restoration of someone to a useful place in society
    But when you’re guilty, you accept it. Not happy about it, but there’s time to learn. Rehabilitation.
  20. billowing
    characterized by great swelling waves or surges
    We swerve onto the dirt road, leaving a billowing trail of dust behind us.
  21. hack
    cough spasmodically
    I cough and hack, then frantically roll up my window before jabbing my fist onto the front dash in three quick pops, hoping the AC will kick in faster.
  22. shoddy
    of inferior workmanship and materials
    The homes in Crowning Heights are shoddily put together, unlike the resort living you see the closer you get to the bay.
  23. unassuming
    not arrogant
    Because I’ve grown up with him in all our awkwardness, when he used to be filthy or goofy or unassuming. The easygoing way about him that didn’t make me act too proud when he split his lunches with me. He’s never made me feel less than, when everyone else around me so easily could.
  24. churning
    (of a liquid) agitated vigorously; in a state of turbulence
    My stomach was churning watching it go down. It was like a car accident, and I couldn’t look away.
  25. vie
    compete for something
    “I was in the bathroom and overheard Natalie Hanes is vying for your editor spot.”
  26. lanky
    tall and thin and having long slender limbs
    He’s tall and lanky with light brown hair; his neck would blanch in pink-and-white blotches when he’d run.
  27. blanch
    turn pale, as if in fear
    He’s tall and lanky with light brown hair; his neck would blanch in pink-and-white blotches when he’d run.
  28. clique
    an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
    “No one listens to me. You’re all a clique on the newspaper.”
    “We’re not a clique. You just don’t try hard enough to get along.”
  29. lavish
    characterized by extravagance and profusion
    What can I talk about when bonding time equals talking about lavish vacations, brand-new cars for birthday gifts, all things Starbucks?
  30. inclusive
    encompassing much or everything
    “I want to be editor next year so I can change things. Make it more inclusive. There’s nobody of color who works on the paper except me and Rosa. That’s a problem.’’
  31. woo
    seek someone's favor
    Maybe because Angela knows how to woo people with her reporter skills to get answers.
  32. subtlety
    a fine difference in meaning, opinion, or attitude
    Every time there’s a whisper in the ear, a stare in my direction, a flinch from someone passing me. A million subtleties that let me know my place.
  33. appalling
    causing shock, dismay, or horror
    But now when people see me, they perceive something different. Something appalling. Layered with their unforgiving small-town judgment about the family of someone on death row.
  34. intimate
    marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
    Angela touches Jamal’s neck, and he covers her hand with his. It’s intimate.
  35. semblance
    the outward or apparent appearance or form of something
    I punch Jamal’s arm for taking such a chance with Angela, messing around at work. He’s never held the reserved shame like I do, so I’m hoping he’ll feel some kind of semblance of pain this way.
Created on Tue Jan 05 13:21:00 EST 2021 (updated Mon Jan 11 13:25:26 EST 2021)

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