This Book Won't Burn: Chapters 1-12

by Samira Ahmed
After her father leaves her family, high school senior Noor Khan moves from Chicago to a small town, where she starts a movement to challenge the prejudiced book bans she finds at her new school.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1-12, Chapters 13-22, Chapters 23-30, Chapters 31-42, Chapter 43-Epilogue
15 words 134 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. meticulous
    marked by extreme care in treatment of details
    It was odd because he was usually meticulous about how he dressed, but maybe it was another sign I’d missed.
  2. pensive
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
    When my dad got that pensive look on his face, it usually meant I was about to get peppered with questions.
  3. maternal
    characteristic of a mother
    Her voice isn’t exactly overflowing with maternal assurance, but it will have to do—it seems like the most energy she can muster these days.
  4. subside
    wear off or die down
    When our screams subside, I feel better. Like a pressure valve has been released.
  5. interrogation
    an instance of questioning
    “And you can spare me the interrogation because you’ve already summed up my Thor-like worthiness?”
  6. convey
    serve as a means for expressing something
    I didn’t fill in any other details, but I’m sure the sound in my voice and the look on my face conveyed that it was a painful topic.
  7. wreak
    cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
    “Right. My entire purpose is to wreak havoc on this small, unassuming town.”
  8. havoc
    violent and needless disturbance
    “Right. My entire purpose is to wreak havoc on this small, unassuming town.”
  9. totalitarian
    of a system in which the state regulates every realm of life
    “It’s totalitarian bigotry...We wouldn’t be dealing with this in Chicago.”
  10. bigotry
    intolerance and prejudice
    “It’s totalitarian bigotry...We wouldn’t be dealing with this in Chicago.”
  11. blasphemous
    grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
    “The novel was banned for being blasphemous and challenging the political status quo.”
  12. status quo
    the existing state of affairs
    “The novel was banned for being blasphemous and challenging the political status quo.”
  13. tenet
    a basic principle or belief that is accepted as true
    “Honoring diversity is one of the key tenets of Bulldog citizenship.”
  14. rabble-rousing
    inciting action or rebellion
    “You’ll find I have zero tolerance for political rabble-rousing. I run a tight ship, Ms. Khan. You will report to C-100 for detention today after school.”
  15. designate
    indicate a place, direction, person, or thing
    I skulk into C-100, the designated study hall/detention room.
Created on Wed Jul 30 08:11:54 EDT 2025 (updated Tue Aug 26 18:53:42 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.