The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman: Chapters 1–10

by Gennifer Choldenko
Eleven-year-old Hank and his toddler sister, Boo, are abandoned at home by their mom, and he must use his wits to survive, take care of his sister, and find a new place to live. Over the next few months, they learn a lot about family, love and forgiveness, and second chances.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–10, Chapters 11–20, Chapters 21–36, Chapters 37–61
15 words 295 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. premises
    land and the buildings on it
    “I know you’re in there, Mrs. Hooperman. And I have every right to enter the premises.” He rattles the doorknob.
  2. eviction
    the removal of someone occupying a home or land
    “We have started eviction proceedings. I need payment in full by tomorrow morning or you and your kids will be forcibly removed.”
  3. sensible
    showing reason or sound judgment
    Grandma Mae used to always say I’m the sensible one. That’s why Mom had me.
  4. foyer
    a large entrance or reception room or area
    In the bright light of the foyer, Mrs. Adler’s eyes fasten on Boo.
  5. last resort
    something done or used only when nothing else works
    “Someone else we should call?” Mrs. Adler asks hopefully.
    No, otherwise we wouldn’t be here. But I don’t want her to think she’s a last resort. I just shake my head.
  6. sheepishly
    in a manner showing embarrassment or shame
    Mrs. Adler doesn’t press it. “Do you remember me?” she asks.
    I shake my head sheepishly.
  7. wary
    marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
    “Bye,” she says, her eyes wary. This is the way we normally do it when I go to school. Except Mom isn’t here. And nothing is normal.
  8. homage
    respectful deference
    “A pug mix. Her name is CPU,” Ray says....
    “CPU like Central Processing Unit?” I ask.
    “Right. She runs the house, so it fits. And it’s an homage to C-3PO, my favorite Star Wars robot.”
  9. portal
    an Internet site positioned as an entrance to other sites
    Ray gets the iPad, shows me how to use it, then waits while I find my class portal.
  10. aide
    someone who acts as an assistant
    Once, the noon aide accused me of stealing the equipment-room key, and they called Mom to the principal’s office. “Hank is not a thief,” Mom told her.
  11. waver
    move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
    “Pooperman!” Boo jumps up and runs to me.
    “Boo,” I say, my voice wavering as she wraps her arms around me.
  12. curtly
    in an abrupt and discourteous manner
    “That’s not going to work for me,” Lou Ann says curtly.
  13. liaison
    a means of communication between groups
    “I’m a software engineer, but informally I’m the liaison between the tech guys and marketing. I speak both languages.”
  14. graphic
    of or relating to the visual arts
    “I want to have a house all my own with a refrigerator full of blue Gatorade.”
    “Not exactly a job description,” Ray says as we shoot along in the fast lane listening to R&B music, which thrums through the floor.
    “Yeah, okay, maybe a helicopter pilot and a graphic artist,” I say.
    “Nice.” Ray smiles at me.
  15. gnarled
    old and twisted and covered in lines
    “How long has she been gone?”
    “Just a few hours,” I mumble, staring out the window at a gnarled oak tree that twists up to the sky.
Created on Sun Jun 15 21:05:29 EDT 2025 (updated Wed Oct 01 11:28:30 EDT 2025)

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