I Survived the American Revolution, 1776: Chapters 1–7

by Lauren Tarshis
In this fifteenth book of the historical fiction I Survived series, eleven-year-old Nathaniel Fox runs away from home and finds himself in the middle of the Battle of Brooklyn.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–7, Chapters 8–18
30 words 373 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. musket
    a muzzle-loading shoulder gun with a long barrel
    Over his shoulder, he saw an enormous soldier chasing after him. The man’s musket was aimed at Nate’s back.
  2. bayonet
    a knife fixed to the end of a rifle and used as a weapon
    Attached to the gun’s tip was a killing sword—a bayonet.
  3. bellow
    shout loudly and without restraint
    Storch turned toward the kitchen and bellowed, “More meat!”
  4. imitation
    copying the actions of someone else
    He pushed together his lips and puffed out his cheeks—his best Storch imitation.
  5. ruffle
    disturb the smoothness of
    He imagined a cool sea breeze ruffling his hair.
  6. practically
    almost; nearly
    He could practically feel his father’s strong hand resting on his shoulder.
  7. squall
    sudden violent winds, often accompanied by precipitation
    It came out of nowhere, a ferocious squall with swirling black clouds, pounding rain, and lightning that tore open the sky. The winds blew like dragon’s breath.
  8. churning
    (of a liquid) agitated vigorously; in a state of turbulence
    She’d be gripping his hand tight, like she’d just pulled him out of the churning sea.
  9. spindly
    long, thin, and often weak or fragile
    He was waving his pirate sword—a spindly stick from the cherry tree.
  10. rile
    disturb, especially by minor irritations
    What a fool Nate was, getting Theo all riled up!
  11. ragged
    being or dressed in clothes that are worn or torn
    He’d sneak into cities disguised in ragged beggar’s clothes and hand out gold coins to kids living on the streets.
  12. shanty
    a rhythmical work song originally sung by sailors
    He loved when Nate sang shanties—the songs sailors crooned as they did their work.
  13. croon
    sing softly
    He loved when Nate sang shanties—the songs sailors crooned as they did their work.
  14. pry
    move or force in an effort to get something open
    Nate gently pried the stick-sword from Theo’s hand.
  15. jowly
    having sagging folds of flesh beneath the chin or lower jaw
    Marston nodded his jowly face in agreement.
  16. gripe
    complain
    Nate would lie in his hammock and listen to Papa and the men griping about England and King George.
  17. glare
    look at with a fixed or angry gaze
    Storch struggled to his feet, glaring at Nate with fury.
  18. stagger
    walk as if unable to control one's movements
    He slapped Nate across the face. Nate staggered back.
  19. scald
    burn with a hot liquid or steam
    His face felt like he had been scalded with boiling water.
  20. hideous
    grossly offensive to decency or morality; causing horror
    Hideous pictures flashed through his mind—a blood-streaked face, clawlike hands grabbing for his throat.
  21. rustling
    a light noise, like leaves blowing in the wind
    Strange sounds rose up around him. Clicks and buzzes and hoots, the rustling of invisible wings and paws.
  22. wretched
    characterized by physical misery
    But there was no way he’d go back to that wretched orphanage.
  23. dung
    fecal matter of animals
    New York was dirty and smelly like every city Nate had ever visited. Garbage rotted in the alleys. Piles of horse dung steamed in the streets.
  24. jut
    extend out or project in space
    Nate spotted crooked rooftops, the wharves jutting into the river, and too many church steeples to count.
  25. steeple
    a tall tower that forms the superstructure of a building
    Nate spotted crooked rooftops, the wharves jutting into the river, and too many church steeples to count.
  26. wharf
    a platform from the shore that provides access to ships
    The Valerie sailed toward the bottom of the island and turned into one of the wharves.
  27. streak
    move quickly in a straight line
    One of the Valerie's sailors swore in surprise as Nate streaked past him.
  28. jeer
    laugh at with contempt and derision
    “Putting on a little show for us, you devils?” one jeered.
  29. taunt
    harass with persistent criticism or carping
    They roared and taunted.
    “Sink those cowards!”
  30. shard
    a broken piece of a brittle artifact
    Shards of wood rained down.
Created on Sun Apr 30 14:45:35 EDT 2023 (updated Thu May 11 12:00:09 EDT 2023)

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