VOCABULARY TAKING SIDES

Pre-Reading and Chapters 1-3

Sycamore, Mulberry, Eucalypts trees

barrio Unkempt, over crowded, low

income neighborhood “Lincoln referred to his old neighborhood as

a barrio.”

suburb A city that’s right outside of a bigger city or town

Example: Brookfield is a suburb of Milwaukee

marvel Looking in amazement at something

great To be in awe of something“He marveled at the northern lights.”

scrawny Skinny BoneyLeanThin“My little brother is scrawny.”

stuccoan outside finish for walls

Made up of cement, sand, and waterMy aunt’s home has stucco on the outside.”

smirk A small grin or a smile

“The boy smirked when his friend told a joke in class”

remainderWhat is left over

“Will you put the remainder of the food in the refrigerator?”

ransack To go threw a house/apartment/room

and make things messy “Lincoln’s old apartment was ransacked by

burglars”

fluorescent Glowing Bright Shining “The lights in Miss Gehrke’s room are

fluorescent.”

oblivious Unaware of what is happening“She was oblivious to the

teacher’s lecture.”

clobber Hit, bash, or beat

“That man is going to get clobbered with the water balloon.”

sprainPull, injure, twist

“Lincoln sprained his knee.”

dusk The time of partial darkness

between day and night “My mom said I have to be home

at dusk.”

social seeking and/or enjoying

the company of others “Most middle school students are very

social.”

sentimental Discussing nice feelings or

memories about the past “I am feeling sentimental after

looking at old pictures.”

throb Feeling the pounding and thumping of

your heart where you have pain. “My head is throbbing” “I slammed my finger in the car door and

now I can feel it throb”

mountainous Land that has very large hills or

mountains “From far away it looks like the land is

mountains”