Kwame Crashes the Underworld: Chapter 7

by Craig Kofi Farmer
Twelve-year-old Kwame is struggling to face the death of his beloved grandmother. But a heroic journey through the Ghanaian underworld, filled with mythology and magic, offers him a transformative experience ultimately preparing him for his grandmother’s celebration of life.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapters 5–6, Chapter 7, Chapters 8–9, Chapters 10–11, Chapters 12–15, Chapters 16–18,
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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. avidly
    in a zealous manner
    Autumn slides into my line of vision, her face drawn tight. She avidly signs, “Ama says they met before the universe began. They were strangers at first, but then they became friends and decided to make the universe together.”
  2. saunter
    walk leisurely and with no apparent aim
    Tano exhales. I see the rage of the rivers course through Tano’s cold eyes once more. “Who is your favorite child?”
    My eyes go to Autumn’s hiding spot, but Tano turns and saunters in that direction. My heart leaps in my throat as I watch the River God lean against his desk.
  3. prideful
    having or showing arrogant superiority
    Nansi is prideful and likes to tell stories, and Tano is…Tano.... “Tano.” I put on my best motherly, now-you-know-better face. “I don’t like any one child more than the other.
  4. immobilize
    cause to be unable to move
    “Sorry, Mother.”
    I stand, only for the trolls to level their weapons toward me. I freeze in place—but Tano beats me to the punch. He thrusts his hand out and immobilizes the trolls.
  5. bellow
    shout loudly and without restraint
    I feel two strong hands grab my shoulders. It’s Ama, dragging me to the back door. The River God looks in my direction just in time to see me get pulled over the threshold.
    “ARGHH!” Tano bellows. His call echoes through the room as the door shuts between us.
  6. insignia
    a distinguishing mark or symbol
    “What is that?”
    Ama finishes the insignia and steps back as it glows a brilliant purple. “An Adinkra symbol, like the one in your hand. Queen Mothers use Asase’s magic to bless or send protection. This one is nsoromma.”
    “Guardianship,” I utter without thinking.
  7. emanate
    proceed or issue forth, as from a source
    Before I can glare some more at Woo, the sword begins vibrating in my hands like those electric coasters that restaurants give you. A faint hum emanates from the dark metal. The runes on the akrafena glow white like lightning.
  8. rune
    a letter from an ancient Germanic alphabet
    Before I can glare some more at Woo, the sword begins vibrating in my hands like those electric coasters that restaurants give you. A faint hum emanates from the dark metal. The runes on the akrafena glow white like lightning.
  9. rogue
    disposed to or engaged in defiance of authority or rules
    “Attention. We have been robbed by an aboatia, a girl wielding a sword purchased from Amazon, a rogue Queen Mother, and a young man with terrible fashion sense,” Tano’s voice sounds over the intercoms.
  10. gist
    the choicest or most vital part of some idea or experience
    “There are people, beasts, and spirits in this building?!” I exclaim after I sign the gist of the announcement to Autumn.
    “We need to keep going.” Ama dashes forward and takes the lead.
  11. pet peeve
    an annoyance about which someone frequently complains
    I know that unnecessarily tall things are a pet peeve of Autumn’s, but I don’t understand why she seems so ready to go head-to-head with something this huge.
    “Hello, little lady,” the troll says with a filthy grin. “What are you going to do, all by yourself, with that tiny blade?”
  12. glyph
    a symbolic character, especially one carved or incised
    “Swing the akrafena!”
    I look down at the blade. It vibrates in my hands, and the glyphs glow in response. Ama’s advice sinks in—she’s telling me to fight. This is another thing life is throwing at me, and I need to hit back before I lose Autumn.
  13. deploy
    place troops or weapons in battle formation
    “To the thieves who are on the run right now, know that you won’t escape,” Tano’s voice asserts over the alarm. “We have deployed Bulgu, one of the legendary hunters of…legend. You will not stand a chance. Return to my office at once and we can discuss terms. I promise I won’t kill you.”
  14. accusatory
    containing or expressing blame
    “There they are!” We hear an accusatory voice coming from above us, along with some urgent footsteps that create an ominous vibration. A crowd of people is hustling down the stairs toward us.
  15. proxy
    a person authorized to act for another
    Ama throws her hands up. “Listen here! You are hearing from Queen Mother Ama Eghan, from the Council of the Earth. These children are under my protection and, by proxy, under Asase Yaa’s protection. Walk away now, and we can act like this never happened.”
  16. bludgeon
    strike with a club
    Bulgu dashes toward me on those deceptively quick legs and throws one of his bludgeoning arms out.
  17. black hole
    (figurative) a place where people or objects disappear
    Then I get exclusive front-row seats to the view most of Bulgu’s victims probably see before they die—a black hole, lined with pointed teeth, large enough for me to slide into if I were so inclined.
  18. garbled
    lacking orderly continuity
    The akrafena’s inscriptions turn from a bright white to alternating colors. I hear ghostly whispers from the weapon’s runes, garbled messages spoken in forgotten languages. One thing is clear, though: It’s asking me what I want from it.
    “Uh, attack?” I try.
  19. relentless
    never-ceasing
    Suddenly, the sword jumps out of my hand. I gape as it floats in the air for a second before thrusting toward Bulgu. Bulgu ducks and hops, but the akrafena is relentless—it twirls, spins, and slices through the air. It attacks with all the dexterity of a trained fencer, but with none of the fatigue of a swordsman.
  20. dexterity
    adroitness in using the hands
    Suddenly, the sword jumps out of my hand. I gape as it floats in the air for a second before thrusting toward Bulgu. Bulgu ducks and hops, but the akrafena is relentless—it twirls, spins, and slices through the air. It attacks with all the dexterity of a trained fencer, but with none of the fatigue of a swordsman.
Created on Mon Mar 24 21:18:36 EDT 2025 (updated Fri Apr 11 18:11:52 EDT 2025)

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