The Bletchley Riddle: Chapters 66–94

by Ruta Sepetys, Steve Sheinkin
A brother and sister — 19-year-old Jakob, a code breaker, and 14-year-old Lizzie, an investigator — find themselves in Britain's Bletchley Park during WWII. They are helping Britain decode the Nazi’s Enigma communications, while also trying to unravel a mystery surrounding their mother’s disappearance.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–10, Chapters 11–25, Chapters 26–43, Chapters 44–65, Chapters 66–94
15 words 33 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. humiliation
    strong feelings of embarrassment
    “Jakob!” Lizzie roars as she sprints to the lake, elbows whirling like propellers. “I’m coming! Don’t panic!”
    Panic is not the problem. I’m sitting beside a rowboat in a foot of murky water. The main danger I face is death by humiliation.
    My sister splashes in and hauls me up. “Jakob! Are you all right?”
    “Never better.”
  2. discretion
    freedom to act or judge on one's own
    “Put yourself in a position to make your own decisions, Lizzie.”
    At the time, her advice seemed silly, as I couldn’t imagine anything that might keep me from acting at my own discretion.
  3. trite
    repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
    “As your friend, I’ve wanted to say something comforting these past days, but I’m not sure what might be best. And I don’t want to say something trite just for the sake of speaking...”
  4. ironically
    in a manner characterized by incongruity or unexpectedness
    Dilly Knox was one of the Brits. He flew to Warsaw. Drove with a small group out to a bunker in a forest near the city. The head of the Polish cipher bureau, Colonel Gwido Langer, brought the visitors inside. They had to speak German, ironically—the only language they all had in common.
  5. sophisticated
    complex or intricate
    “Everything we do here is built on the work of the Polish team,” Dilly says. “Without them, we wouldn’t be reading German plans right now, when we need it most. Even Turing’s machine is basically a more sophisticated version of their bomba.”
  6. imperative
    requiring attention or action
    “Miss Novis.” He pauses, choosing his words carefully. “I would urge you to abandon the investigation related to your mother....It’s imperative that we focus on our tasks at hand and report anything that might be suspicious. The future of our country is at stake.”
  7. propaganda
    information that is spread to promote some cause
    The train chugs along the tracks, panting in the heat. Faces are grim. No one speaks. Passengers squint through the open windows toward the sky. And suddenly, I’m angry, ready to call the Germans’ bluff. They’re manipulating the whole of Britain through threats and propaganda.
  8. veer
    turn sharply; change direction abruptly
    I hate to lose time, but I must veer from the course I had planned. I have to lose the agent.
  9. disoriented
    having lost your bearings
    I look left and right, trying to catch my breath and determine my next steps. There’s no sign of the agent. But where am I? I’m completely disoriented.
  10. elated
    exultantly proud and joyful; in high spirits
    I lean back against the closed door. I’m positively dizzy. An equal mix of adrenaline and emotion courses through me. I’m elated, illuminated, vindicated, and so much more.
  11. pandemonium
    a state of extreme confusion and disorder
    I stand amid the pandemonium, clutching my burlap sack, unable to pull my eyes from the sky.
  12. cerebral
    involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct
    I think of the countless lives that will be lost during this one evening alone. Up to this point it’s all felt like a cerebral exercise. A warning. But suddenly, it’s all too real.
  13. reprieve
    a relief from harm or discomfort
    I think of our brave young soldiers, so willing to give their lives, and boys like Colin, who are desperate to join them. And what does this feel like for the older men who experienced the first war, followed by the Depression? Is there no reprieve? The magnitude of it presses in on me, overwhelming. I’m so grateful to be with my brother.
  14. rejuvenate
    return to life; get or give new life or energy
    “Mr. Fleetwood was in attendance. He’s using a walking stick now because he’s recovering from bunion surgery. But overall, Gran seems rejuvenated by the attention and my constant company. I believe she likes having a ward. I daresay, Lizzie, your gran may have suffered from loneliness. But I’m so delighted because Gran is bringing my sister to join us!”
  15. invigorating
    imparting strength and vitality
    “Indeed. But now I must get back to work. Letters are lovely, of course, but it’s been absolutely invigorating to hear your voice and feel your happiness. Sending you all my love, dear Marion. And do give my love to Gran!”
Created on Tue May 13 20:31:48 EDT 2025 (updated Tue Sep 30 14:29:32 EDT 2025)

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