Buffalo Dreamer: Chapters 11–14

by Violet Duncan
Twelve-year-old Summer learns of her grandfather's traumatic childhood suffering because of his indigenous (Cree) heritage. Her family's present happiness and unity within their native community in Alberta, Canada, is a beautiful lesson in resilience, honor, and the healing power of love.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–2, Chapters 3–4, Chapters 5–6, Chapters 7–10, Chapters 11–14, Chapters 15–16, Chapters 17–20, Chapters 21–26, Chapters 27–30
20 words 12 learners

Learn words with Flashcards and other activities

Definition First
Print Flashcards

Other learning activities

Answer a few questions about each word. Use this to prep for your next quiz! Compete with other teams in real time to see who answers the most questions correctly! Test your spelling acumen. Read the definition, listen to the word and try spelling it!

Teaching tools

Create and assign quizzes to your students to test their vocabulary. Assign learning activities including Practice, Vocabulary Jams and Spelling Bees to your students, and monitor their progress in real-time.

Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. turquoise
    a shade of blue tinged with green
    When Mom and Dad built it, I picked out the turquoise paint color for the front door and even helped Dad design it.
  2. bustle
    a rapid active commotion
    The little house is quiet and cozy compared to the bustle of the big house.
  3. lavender
    an aromatic shrub with usually mauve or blue flowers
    I watch as she carefully hangs lavender and sage bundles near the windows, and they immediately give off their soothing fragrance.
  4. mimic
    imitate, especially for satirical effect
    Mom gives him a little broom, and he mimics her sweeping motions but mostly looks like he’s dancing rather than cleaning. Sage’s cheerfulness is contagious, and we all start dancing.
  5. contagious
    easily diffused or spread as from one person to another
    Mom gives him a little broom, and he mimics her sweeping motions but mostly looks like he’s dancing rather than cleaning. Sage’s cheerfulness is contagious, and we all start dancing.
  6. glisten
    be shiny, as if wet
    The sun is glistening on the lake, and the fish are sizzling in the pans on the fire pit.
  7. reel
    wind onto or off a revolving spool
    “Oh, you should have seen us!” Mosom says. “The wind was pushing the boat farther and farther out onto the lake while grandson was reeling in a big one!”
  8. aroma
    a distinctive odor that is pleasant
    The air is filled with the delicious aroma of crispy fried fish, seasoned to perfection—a secret family recipe Kokom guards with pride.
  9. medley
    a collection containing a variety of kinds of things
    We eagerly gather around the picnic table and pass around dishes of boiled potatoes, golden corn on the cob, a large loaf of bannock, a jar of saskatoon jam, and a medley of fresh vegetables—my favorite summer feast!
  10. legendary
    so celebrated as to having taken on the nature of a myth
    Kokom’s open-fire skills are legendary. Each bite of fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and is a testament to her years of experience.
  11. tender
    easy to cut or chew
    Kokom’s open-fire skills are legendary. Each bite of fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and is a testament to her years of experience.
  12. testament
    strong evidence for something
    Kokom’s open-fire skills are legendary. Each bite of fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and is a testament to her years of experience.
  13. intensity
    high level or degree
    Raindrops begin to fall, softly at first, then with increasing intensity.
  14. retrieve
    get or find back; recover the use of
    “And our plan to ask Mosom was a washout too,” Autumn whispers to me. “Tomorrow, let’s try a new method at retrieving the facts.”
  15. relentless
    never-ceasing
    It had been three days of relentless wind and freezing temperatures. On the first day I could hear them calling out for me from their dogsleds, but I had planned for this and secured myself with a rope high in a tree. They would never think to look there, I hoped. I couldn’t bear to get caught.
  16. ration
    distribute in fixed allowances
    The food felt good in my mouth, but my stomach wanted more. I needed to ration better if I was going to make it home. My apples were a little bruised, and I still had another small loaf of hard bread, some cheese, and a bag of peanuts left.
  17. thunderbird
    a mythological creature said to create loud sounds during storms
    When I heard thunderclouds rolling in, I prayed, Not now, Thunderbird Spirit. Wait just a few more hours for your storm. Please hear me, my relatives, I need more time.
  18. collapse
    break down due to fatigue, an illness, or a sudden attack
    When I made it to the barn, I found a pile of hay in the loft and collapsed onto it.
  19. desperate
    fraught with extreme danger; nearly hopeless
    I roll back over in my bed, not quite ready to get up or let my dream slip away. I was dreaming about thunder, wasn’t I? Or was I thinking about last night’s storm? I know that in my dream I was cold and hungry and alone. And I was desperate to get home.
  20. contrast
    the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
    The contrast between my situation and the girl in my dream’s harsh reality weighs heavily on my mind.
Created on Mon Mar 10 20:30:54 EDT 2025 (updated Mon Mar 31 16:43:11 EDT 2025)

Sign up now (it’s free!)

Whether you’re a teacher or a learner, Vocabulary.com can put you or your class on the path to systematic vocabulary improvement.