The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon, Vocabulary List Chapters 26-30

seeming to last forever

Then, to our eternal embarrassment, Mom pulled one of her Mom switcheroos.

costing a lot of money

"Kids are expensive," Mom says.

a lack of success in some effort

We had no choice but to report our failure to Styx.

to order (someone) not to do something

I don't know how to explain to Dad about Styx. At least, not in a way that wouldn't end with Dad forbidding us to hang out with him.

to move in a smooth way

He smacked his lips, then glided toward the table like a hunter stalking his prey.

to walk slowly without a specific goal, purpose, or direction

Dad meandered up the lawn to the house.

something that is not known

All along I'd liked the mystery.

words or ideas that are foolish or untrue

"Im cool," he said. "I'll eat the chips and stuff." Dad frowned. "Nonsense."

a habit of expecting everything to turn out for the best

"The scale of optimism to pessimism. Any problem you got, you gotta look for a way to keep it low on the scale."

causing a feeling of happiness or pleasure

Here we were, enjoying a pleasant evening, and now Dad was about to launch into his positivity theory.

to think carefully about something

Come morning, I was still reflecting on what Styx had said.

to cause (something, such as a feeling) to be strong or active again

Bobby Gene leaned forward and blew gently to rekindle the fire.

to tell people about (something) : to make a report about (something)

We had no choice but to report our failure to Styx.

to look or be like (someone or something)

Dad laughed and crunched to carrot down until it resembled a cigar.

an idea that is suggested or presented as possibly true but that is not known or proven to be true

Here we were, enjoying a pleasant evening, and now Dad was about to launch into his positivity theory.

not having or showing complete trust in someone or something that could be dangerous or cause trouble

"Mr. Franklin, sir?" "Yes?" Dad had on his wary voice.