I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005: Chapters 8–16

by Lauren Tarshis
In this third book of the historical fiction I Survived series, eleven-year-old Barry Tucker creates a superhero, whose courageous power he wishes for when he is swept away by a flood in New Orleans.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–7, Chapters 8–16
35 words 154 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. hatch
    a movable barrier covering an entrance
    Dad pulled open the hatch in the ceiling and a blast of hot air came down.
  2. rickety
    inclined to shake as from weakness or defect
    There was no way they could force her up the rickety stairs.
  3. insist
    be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
    “No! No!” she insisted.
  4. steady
    marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
    “Clee,” he said, working hard to keep his voice steady, “Akivo might be up there.”
  5. mildew
    a fungus that produces a superficial white growth
    It stunk like mildew and dust.
  6. heave
    lift or elevate
    Dad heaved the ax over his shoulder. With a mighty swing, he smashed the blade into the ceiling.
  7. gust
    a strong current of air
    But before Barry could rejoin their huddle, a gust of wind swirled around him and hit him in the chest.
  8. gush
    flow forth in a sudden stream or jet
    And then he was swept away in a gushing tide.
  9. loom
    hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing
    A massive shadow loomed over him.
  10. ferocious
    marked by extreme and violent energy
    The sound of ferocious barking rang out.
    Somewhere in that ripped-apart house was Cruz.
    The killer dog.
  11. whimper
    cry weakly or softly
    But then there was a noise—a whimpering howl. It rose above the wind, and it was the saddest sound Barry had ever heard.
  12. plead
    appeal or request earnestly
    Cruz howled again.
    Begging. Pleading.
    Help me, please, he seemed to be saying. Help me, please.
  13. hoist
    raise
    He hoisted himself up, climbed through the window, and eased himself down on the other side.
  14. strain
    exert much effort or energy
    His leash was attached to Abe’s bed, which Cruz had managed to drag across the room. He was straining so hard to get free that he was practically strangling himself.
  15. expectant
    marked by eager anticipation
    Cruz gave Barry one last kiss on the nose and then looked at him expectantly.
    What now? he seemed to ask. What should we do?
  16. wade
    walk through relatively shallow water
    He didn’t want Cruz wading through the dirty water.
  17. murky
    cloudy, dirty, and difficult to see through
    A long, dark shape shot out from under the bag and disappeared into the murky water.
  18. shudder
    tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
    “The water was filled with poisonous snakes,” Gramps had said. “Lots of people got bit.”
    Now Barry shuddered.
  19. stroke
    touch lightly and repeatedly, as with brushing motions
    Barry stroked his head.
  20. routine
    a short theatrical performance that is part of a longer one
    Abe couldn’t afford a fancy Chinese army dog even if he’d wanted one. He had made up that killer-dog routine.
  21. lull
    make calm or still
    He stopped singing and leaned back to take a rest, lulled by the gentle rocking of the house and by the song—familiar now—of Katrina’s winds and rain.
  22. faint
    lacking clarity, brightness, or loudness
    But the helicopter’s sound grew fainter, and then it faded away completely.
  23. plank
    a wooden board used for building or making a structure
    He searched for Cruz, but all he could see was a mess of wood planks and branches.
  24. debris
    the remains of something that has been destroyed
    Something poked up in the middle of the debris but then disappeared.
  25. ease
    move gently or carefully
    “I’m coming, Cruz!” Barry yelled as he eased himself over the side of the house, holding tightly with his hands while letting his legs drop.
  26. grasp
    hold firmly
    He dangled there for a minute, grasping the edge, staring down into the water, until he spotted a big board floating underneath.
  27. stagger
    walk with great difficulty
    They staggered up to a small dry patch near the top of the roof.
  28. slump
    assume a drooping posture or carriage
    Barry and Cruz sat slumped together.
  29. hypnotize
    induce a state that resembles sleep in
    She put a hand on Cruz’s head. The dog didn’t growl. Like Barry, he seemed hypnotized.
  30. swollen
    abnormally enlarged, bloated, or expanded
    Barry’s throat was dry and swollen.
  31. uproot
    pull up by or as if by the roots
    Nell carefully wove the little boat through the maze of uprooted trees and wreckage.
  32. daze
    overcome as with astonishment or disbelief
    Families huddled together; old couples sat on the ground; people walked around dazed.
  33. quiver
    shake with fast, tremulous movements
    He was standing there crying, his legs quivering like skinny little twigs in the wind.
  34. stranded
    cut off or left behind
    But yes, he knew he was lucky.
    Luckier than the tens of thousands of people who’d been stranded for days in the hot and terrifying Superdome. Or the people who’d been stuck on bridges and highways and rooftops.
  35. sidekick
    a close associate or assistant in an activity
    Akivo had a sidekick now, a mutt with floppy ears.
Created on Thu Oct 12 15:10:24 EDT 2023 (updated Fri Oct 13 14:23:44 EDT 2023)

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