It Doesn't Take a Genius: Chapters 1–9

by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Already recognized for his achievements in debate, spelling, essay-writing, science, chess, and dance, thirteen-year-old Emmett Franklin Charles is determined to win a showcase competition at a New York summer camp for talented young artists.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–9, Chapters 10–14, Chapters 15–21, Chapters 22–31, Chapter 32–Epilogue
40 words 64 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. prompt
    urge, encourage, or motivate someone to act
    The last day of school is the perfect opportunity to make peace with Mac. Or at least prompt him to rethink his plan to ride his bike past my house all summer yelling, “What you got, loser?” the way he did last summer after I won the school debate trophy for the third straight year.
  2. full-fledged
    having gained complete status
    He’s also a full-fledged, first-class, Grade A GOON, even though he tries to disguise himself as an ordinary kid.
  3. resilient
    recovering readily from adversity, depression, or the like
    The water bear is definitely a resilient and minuscule animal, so...nicely done.
  4. stellar
    distinguished from others in excellence
    That might be a way to describe me, even though technically, I didn’t actually lose, so there’s nothing for me to be resilient about, and...ahem, uh, anyway...I’m serious, stellar job yesterday!
  5. corporal
    affecting the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
    I thought your argument in favor of corporal punishment at school was convincing, mostly because of your enthusiasm for, um, school-sanctioned beatdowns.
  6. sanctioned
    established by authority
    I thought your argument in favor of corporal punishment at school was convincing, mostly because of your enthusiasm for, um, school- sanctioned beatdowns.
  7. sap
    deplete
    “I haven’t played video games in a while, anyway. I think it saps my creative spirit.”
  8. antic
    a playful, attention-getting act done for fun and amusement
    I’d be willing to sacrifice for some dynamic duo antics.
  9. gig
    a job, especially a temporary job
    Maybe he could even put in a good word and get me considered early for a CIT gig too.
  10. wane
    grow smaller
    Who knows how long the diner will be able to hold on. This might be its last summer, the final hurrah, the waning glory days of grease.
  11. suave
    having a sophisticated charm
    I wonder if Luke would think it’s silly that I’ve been taking notes on how he has what Mom calls suave bola. He’s so smooth!
  12. vortex
    the shape of something rotating rapidly
    We’re on our block, and he counts down our usual race to the door. Whoever loses has to clean the bathroom for a week, which is, like, the Chore Vortex of Torment.
  13. makeshift
    done or made using whatever is available
    There’s a group of women doing yoga on what used to be our makeshift soccer field.
  14. caucus
    a closed political meeting
    “I’m sure Luke is on the edge of his seat, waiting for this master plan.”
    “Did you just say caucus?” asks WeeDee.
  15. jocular
    characterized by jokes and good humor
    “Ha-ha,” I say. “Good thing I’m in a jocular mood.”
  16. disproportionate
    out of proper balance
    “Your brains are way old and huge.”
    “Wayyy huge. Like disproportionately, since you’re, um, smaller-framed, er...”
    “Can we NOT talk about my big brains and tiny body?” I shout.
  17. glare
    look at with a fixed or angry gaze
    A little boy on the swings starts to cry, and his adult glares at me. “Sorry!” I call out.
  18. redundant
    repeating the same sense in different words
    “Double dose duo...isn’t that redundant? Methinks you’re slipping, smart guy,” says WeeDee, and I give him an elbow.
  19. mandatory
    required by rule
    “How did I get so lucky? A son who’s such an amazing chef!”
    “Probably has something to do with your mandatory Saturday morning cooking lessons,” Luke answers.
  20. dubious
    open to doubt or suspicion
    Have we really considered the Pet Sematary angle? One of the creepiest films of all time, set in the dubious state of Maine. Where Rowell Academy is. Where Luke will be, possibly surrounded by undead animals.
  21. dystopia
    state in which the conditions of life are extremely bad
    “And it’s not just about the money, it’s the experience. I’d get to be in a...Black utopia for a month.”
    “Right before you head to white dystopia, amirite?”
  22. implication
    a meaning that is not expressly stated but can be inferred
    “A trip that has enormous implications,” I say. “Maybe also complications.”
  23. brittle
    having little elasticity
    This is the most anyone has talked to me about Dad in a long time; I hold my breath, not sure if he’ll continue. Even the way Luke says the word Dad feels brittle, like if I push, it will shatter.
  24. dregs
    sediment that has settled at the bottom of a liquid
    I slurp up the last of my shake. Then the last last. Then the dregs.
  25. fortification
    the act of increasing the strength of something
    “And I’m preparing myself for it, remember? That’s why I’m going to DuBois for the summer.” He makes the Wakanda Forever sign. “Extra fortification.”
  26. mitosis
    the process by which a cell divides into two new cells
    “Remember that time you did your whole mitosis research paper at your locker before the second bell rang? That was epic!”
  27. rave
    praise enthusiastically
    “She can’t stop raving about that camp. DuBois really does sound amazing.”
  28. travesty
    a distorted, debased, or absurd imitation of something
    “The fact that you refuse to even preview The Last Dragon is still unforgivable,” Luke says.
    Mom laughs. “I’ll work on him while you’re gone, Luke. It is a travesty.”
  29. prospective
    of or concerned with or related to the future
    I click on Prospective Camper Information.
  30. shenanigan
    reckless or malicious behavior that causes annoyance
    “And I’m glad that you’ll be occupied this summer. Like I said, I know it’s not a fancy camp, but between two weeks of debate camp and maybe some work out in that garden and whatever shenanigans you have planned with WeeDee and Billy...”
  31. apprenticeship
    the position of one working for an expert to learn a trade
    “How’s the art apprenticeship going, hon?” she says to Luke.
  32. alliteration
    use of the same consonant at the beginning of each word
    “I thought you’d be happy, dynamic duo at DuBois! Hey, that kind of rhymes!”
    “You’re talking about alliteration,” he says.
  33. emanate
    proceed or issue forth, as from a source
    I don’t dare look at Mom. Judging by the steam emanating from her right now, I may not live past this call.
  34. initiative
    the first of a series of actions
    That night...when you went to Target...I did the online application for Camp DuBois. The uh, parent signature just had to be typed in, and I figured you’d be happy about me taking initiative so, I...I filled it all out.
  35. obliterate
    do away with completely, without leaving a trace
    Is a minute all it will take to obliterate me? To huff and puff and blow me off the face of the earth?
  36. proactive
    causing something to happen rather than waiting to respond
    We were supposed to be in the middle of a family celebration right about now, where she’d be talking about my initiative and how proactive I’d been, such a creative thinker, which are words I hear a lot around here on most days.
  37. earful
    a severe scolding
    I get an earful for another fifteen minutes at full volume and lose my phone and computer privileges for a week before she says she has some studying to do and sends me to bed like I’m five.
  38. practically
    almost; nearly
    Luke’s voice is so low I have to practically put the phone inside of my head to hear.
  39. sentimental
    marked by tender, romantic, or nostalgic emotion
    They were my favorite stuffed animals when I was a baby; I only keep them around because I know Mom’s sentimental about them.
  40. khaki
    a sturdy type of cloth that is a light brown color
    “And those khakis, tho,” I say, shaking my head. “Is that Maine fashion?”
Created on Mon Feb 26 10:14:32 EST 2024 (updated Tue Feb 27 11:48:28 EST 2024)

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