Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher: Chapter 11-Epilogue

by Bruce Coville
Sixth grader Jeremy Thatcher learns how to hatch a dragon's egg. Now he has to learn how to take care of a growing dragon until it must return to its own world.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters One–Two, Chapters Three–Four, Chapters Five–Seven, Chapters Eight–Ten, Chapter Eleven–Epilogue
15 words 6 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. despair
    the feeling that nothing will turn out well
    Two weeks, thought Jeremy in despair. Can I stand to let Tiamat go, when the time comes?
  2. ruefully
    in a manner expressing pain or sorrow
    "The way things are going, I'm going to have to find a job just to feed her," he said ruefully, handing Mary Lou the last of his allowance.
  3. snit
    a state of irritation or annoyance
    Great, thought Jeremy. If there's anything left of me after I'm done with Mr. Kravitz, I get to deal with a dragon in a snit. How do I get myself into these situations?
  4. seethe
    be in an agitated emotional state
    His throat hurt. His stomach was a knot of emotion. Years of frustration seethed within him.
  5. discipline
    training to improve strength or self-control
    "I think you are the most talented student I have ever taught," he said slowly. "Talented, but undisciplined. You need them both, Thatcher. Talent and discipline. One without the other is useless."
  6. lifeless
    lacking animation or excitement or activity
    The drawing was accurate, but still and lifeless. As he watched, Mr. Kravitz's big fingers twitched. The drawing crumpled beneath them.
  7. banishment
    exclusion or rejection from a place or group
    It was clear Specimen considered Jeremy's banishment from the contest fair punishment for getting the class in trouble to begin with.
  8. dread
    be afraid or scared of
    Yet as much as he dreaded her leaving, he knew it would also be a relief. Caring for her had put such a strain on him that his mother had started to worry about his health.
  9. mutual
    common to or shared by two or more parties
    He wondered if Spess would remember their mutual pledge that the winner would share the prize.
  10. anticipation
    an expectation
    Jeremy turned. His stomach grew tight with the anticipation of something nasty about to happen.
  11. vanity
    feelings of excessive pride
    "What is her spoken name?"
    "Tiamat."
    Mr. Elives snorted. "The Queen of the Universe! Well, her line always did have a streak of vanity. Of course, that's not her real name. She can't tell you that."
  12. sullenly
    in a manner showing a brooding ill humor
    "I don't want Tiamat to go back," said Jeremy sullenly. "I want her to stay here with me."
  13. suffuse
    cause to spread or flush or flood through, over, or across
    A dim light suffused the area. In the middle crouched Tiamat. She looked frightened.
  14. spasm
    a painful and involuntary muscular contraction
    Tiamat, half in the circle and half out, was shaking with terrible spasms. Light sparked and flashed around her.
  15. spiral
    wind or move in a looping course
    He caught another current of hot air in his wings and spiraled upward, looking out over a world of ferocious beauty.
Created on Fri Sep 12 20:24:54 EDT 2025 (updated Sun Nov 09 13:06:19 EST 2025)

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