The School for Invisible Boys: Chapters 1–10

by Shaun David Hutchinson
This first book of The Kairos Files series introduces Hector Myles Griggs, a sixth grader whose sudden ability to turn invisible protects him from human threats at Florida's St. Lawrence's Catholic School for Boys, yet lands him in another dimension with a monster that feeds on fear.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–10, Chapters 11–22, Chapters 23–37, Chapters 38–48
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. comeback
    a quick reply to a question or remark
    “You’re roadkill when I catch you, Hector!”
    I thought of at least three devastating comebacks to shout over my shoulder, but I needed to save my breath to stay ahead of Blake Nesbitt.
  2. clergy
    the entire class of religious officials
    Behind the field stood the old clergy house, a two-story building with filthy windows that screamed, I am definitely haunted!
  3. grate
    make a grinding sound by rubbing together
    It grated across my ears and felt like an itch in my brain.
  4. stupor
    a state of being half-awake
    A shout from the field broke me from my stupor.
  5. shutter
    a hinged blind for a window
    Shutters covered the first-floor windows, probably to keep out kids like me.
  6. straddle
    sit or stand astride of
    We hit the grass, and I barely had time to flip onto my back before he was straddling me, pummeling my stomach and ribs.
  7. clobber
    strike violently and repeatedly
    The boys from the east and west sixth-grade classes gathered around to watch Blake clobber me.
  8. loom
    hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing
    Coach Barbary loomed over me and Blake, looking down on us like Zeus from Olympus, prepared to smite us with a bolt of lightning.
  9. smite
    inflict a heavy blow on, with the hand, a tool, or a weapon
    Coach Barbary loomed over me and Blake, looking down on us like Zeus from Olympus, prepared to smite us with a bolt of lightning.
  10. promptly
    with little or no delay
    “I asked you boys a question, and I expect an answer. Promptly.”
  11. scorching
    hot and dry enough to burn or parch a surface
    Despite the pain, I took off after Blake, jogging laps around the PE field, broiling under the scorching Florida sun.
  12. essentially
    at bottom or by something's very nature
    Every agonizing step was a reminder that Coach was essentially punishing me for being used as a punching bag.
  13. gloat
    dwell on with satisfaction
    Instead I wiped my tears, kept my eyes forward so I could ignore Jason gloating, and said, “Yes, sir.”
  14. assume
    take to be the case or to be true
    I assumed the worst thing that would happen was that he’d say no.
  15. barge
    push one's way
    Lee barged into the room without knocking.
  16. meringue
    sweet dessert or topping made of beaten egg whites and sugar
    We can’t have a dog because Lee’s allergic, I can’t have a lemon meringue pie on my birthday because Jason hates lemons, and instead of going to the library or museums, we have to go to football games or on fishing trips because those are the things Pop and the boys like to do.
  17. grudging
    unwilling or reluctant
    Mom stuck the spoon in my hand and waited for me to take a grudging lick before she spoke again.
  18. tousle
    disarrange or rumple; dishevel
    Mom tousled my hair and took the mostly clean spoon back from me.
  19. casually
    in an unconcerned manner
    As I pulled out a chair to sit, I casually said, “I heard the ghost yesterday.”
  20. scuffle
    disorderly fighting
    “Was that before or after your scuffle with Mr. Nesbitt?”
  21. uncanny
    surpassing the ordinary or normal
    Mr. Morhill had an uncanny knowledge of what was going on around St. Lawrence’s. None of the other teachers seemed to care, but Mr. Morhill knew which students were fighting, who was being bullied, who was having trouble at home.
  22. imminent
    close in time; about to occur
    “Was it chilly, did you feel the moment of your imminent demise, did you smell anything like sulfur or potato salad that’s turned?”
  23. demise
    the event of departure from life
    “Was it chilly, did you feel the moment of your imminent demise, did you smell anything like sulfur or potato salad that’s turned?”
  24. wary
    openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
    Sending Gordi was a strange choice, and it made me wary.
  25. flank
    be located at the sides of something or somebody
    He was flanked by Evan Christopher and Conrad Eldridge.
  26. loafer
    a low leather shoe with no laces
    I stomped on Gordi’s foot as hard as I could, driving the heel of my loafer into his toes.
  27. dilemma
    state of uncertainty in a choice between unfavorable options
    I was faced with the same dilemma as the day before. Blake was faster and there weren’t many places to hide.
  28. sanctuary
    a shelter from danger or hardship
    Churches had been used as sanctuaries throughout history, so I hoped God wouldn’t be too upset with me for hiding out even though I wasn’t Catholic.
  29. nook
    a secluded place, corner, or recessed area
    I needed to quickly find a nook where I could hide.
  30. dais
    a platform raised above the surrounding level
    Evan split off, checking the pews, while Gordi crept toward the dais at the front of the church.
  31. depict
    show in, or as in, a picture
    Blake’s voice ricocheted off the stained-glass windows depicting the stations of the cross.
  32. furrow
    make or become wrinkled or creased
    He looked around again, his brow furrowed in confusion.
  33. account
    furnish a justifying analysis or explanation
    The problem was that no other answer I came up with accounted for why Blake and Father Allison hadn’t been able to see me or why I didn’t have a reflection.
  34. jostle
    come into rough contact with while moving
    Since no one could see me, I had to step quickly to avoid being jostled.
  35. practically
    almost; nearly
    I could practically hear Lee telling me not to be a baby, Jason making “boo-hoo” sounds, and Pop telling me boys didn’t cry.
  36. grim
    harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
    Mr. Grady looked up, his mouth set in a grim frown.
  37. hypothesis
    a tentative insight that is not yet verified or tested
    Question: How had I turned invisible?
    Hypothesis: When I’d become invisible, I’d been terrified and focused on nothing but remaining unseen. It had been the same for turning visible. Therefore, turning invisible required intense concentration. And, possibly, a little fear.
    Experiment: Find a quiet place where I wouldn’t be disturbed and attempt to become invisible again.
  38. priority
    status established in order of importance or urgency
    But my top priority was to test my hypothesis, and I knew exactly when and where to do it.
  39. dampen
    lessen in force or effect
    I was tired from running laps for Coach Barbary in PE, but that didn’t dampen my excitement.
  40. trudge
    walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
    When fifth-period PE rolled around, I changed in the locker room and then trudged to the field, where Coach Barbary was waiting for me.
Created on Sat Aug 03 17:37:40 EDT 2024 (updated Sun Aug 04 12:57:03 EDT 2024)

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