The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez: Chapters 8–10

by Adrianna Cuevas
Twelve-year-old Nestor Lopez has a secret: he can communicate with animals. When the animals in his town begin mysteriously disappearing, Nestor must use his special abilities to investigate.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–3, Chapters 4–7, Chapters 8–10, Chapters 11–14, Chapters 15–26
25 words 17 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. convoy
    a procession of land vehicles traveling together
    "He was a military policeman in Iraq. His Humvee convoy had been warned about people dangling grenades from the tops of overpasses with fishing line, waiting for the soldiers to drive under and hit them.”
  2. sentry
    a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event
    We stand together on the trail as Cuervito flies in a circle above us, a sentry to our vigil.
  3. vigil
    a purposeful surveillance to guard or observe
    We stand together on the trail as Cuervito flies in a circle above us, a sentry to our vigil.
  4. pessimistic
    expecting the worst possible outcome
    "Qué dramático. So pessimistic. It’s not that bad, I’m sure." Abuela tries to reach for my hand, but I pull it away.
  5. unravel
    become or cause to become undone by separating the fibers of
    She heads off to the kitchen, but I stay in my chair, pulling on the hem of my shirt until a long thread completely unravels from the fabric in a tangled web.
  6. gingerly
    in a manner marked by extreme care or delicacy
    He hops down from my bed and trots gingerly over to me, not putting weight on his back leg.
  7. charitable
    showing or motivated by sympathy and generosity
    Val huffs and rolls over to his back. "That's not very charitable of you. People should do good things without expecting anything in return."
  8. beady
    small, round, and shiny
    He stares at me with beady black eyes.
  9. matted
    tangled in a dense mass
    The wolverine raises its arm, covered in matted brown fur, claws glistening in the moonlight as George cowers below, ready to be sliced to ribbons.
  10. cower
    show submission or fear
    The wolverine raises its arm, covered in matted brown fur, claws glistening in the moonlight as George cowers below, ready to be sliced to ribbons.
  11. dismantle
    take apart into its constituent pieces
    She reaches in and pulls out a pair of pliers. "I was thinking we could make sure that Brandon doesn't hurt any more animals in the woods. I know how we can dismantle all his traps. And we can look for Talib's dog. Maybe even my goats."
  12. gnash
    grind together
    Thick tree trunks hide wolverines, their teeth ready to gnash at our throats.
  13. detention
    a punishment in which a student must stay after school
    Either their teacher has threatened them with eternal detention scraping gum off desks, or the water in Burleson is tainted by a chemical that makes it impossible to smile.
  14. taint
    contaminate with a disease or microorganism
    Either their teacher has threatened them with eternal detention scraping gum off desks, or the water in Burleson is tainted by a chemical that makes it impossible to smile.
  15. warily
    in a manner marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
    Clearing his throat multiple times, Mr. Highpants eyes the microphone warily, probably checking to see if we were inspired by New Haven’s previous trivia team and put glue on it.
  16. sabotage
    destroy property or hinder normal operations
    "What is a blob?" he says, looking at me and sneering. He knows that's not the right answer. He’s trying to sabotage us.
  17. snicker
    laugh quietly
    Maria Carmen stomps her foot under the table as Brandon snickers.
  18. appendage
    an external body part that projects from the body
    Mr. Highpants leans in closer to his mic. “With club-like appendages, what animal can strike so rapidly it creates vapor-filled bubbles underwater that shock prey and kill them?"
  19. obliterate
    do away with completely, without leaving a trace
    That way he could have been obliterated in one tackle, instead of little by little by an overenthusiastic teammate.
  20. revert
    go back to a previous state
    Mr. Highpants clears his throat loudly into the microphone. "With the ability to revert back to its juvenile polyp stage, this animal can repeatedly delay death.”
  21. juvenile
    a young person who is not fully grown
    Mr. Highpants clears his throat loudly into the microphone. "With the ability to revert back to its juvenile polyp stage, this animal can repeatedly delay death.”
  22. immortal
    not subject to death
    I slam my elbow into Brandon’s side as Talib presses his buzzer furiously. "Immortal jellyfish!" he cries out before Mr. Highpants even acknowledges him.
  23. wry
    humorously sarcastic or mocking
    Mr. Highpants gives us a wry smile. "That is correct. We are tied.”
  24. glutton
    a person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess
    "All right, contestants. Final question." He yanks on the waistband of his pants. "This animal’s name also means ‘glutton' due to its ferocious appetite and habit of eating quickly, leaving nothing behind after slashing its prey with its sharp claws and teeth."
  25. stammer
    speak haltingly
    A boulder drops in my stomach. I swallow hard. Maria Carmen flips a braid in Brandon's face and distracts him. I press my buzzer, and Mr. Highpants looks at me, licking his lips. "A...a wolverine," I stammer.
Created on Mon Feb 22 20:27:53 EST 2021 (updated Tue Mar 02 08:49:55 EST 2021)

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