Number the Stars

Vocabulary Chapters 1-4

 “Farther back, Kirsti was
still sulking, and walking
slowly toward the
corner.” (pg. 3)

sulking
Pouting, grumbling, visibly showering disappointment (verb)
 “He prodded the corner of
her backpack with the
stock of his rifle.” (pg.3)

prodded
Physically poked, or emotionally prompted or encouraged (verb)
 “Stand still, Kirsti, Annemarie
ordered silently, praying that
somehow the obstinate five
year old would receive the
message.” (pg.4)

obstinate
Stubborn, refusing to give up (adjective)
 “She glanced through the
window, down the street
corner where the soldiers
stood, their faces
impassive beneath the
metal helmets.” (pg.10)

impassive
Blank or expressionless (adjective)
 “Thinking of Lise, her
solemn, lovely sister, always
made her sad.” (pg. 13)

solemn
Serious, possibly sad (adjective)
 “…the lacy edging of a
pillowcase, part of Lise’s
trousseau.” (pg. 14)

trousseau
A collection of clothes and household linens
put together for a bride (noun)
 “Her fingers moved rapidly,
turning the thin white thread
into an intricate narrow
border.” (pg. 14)

intricate
Elaborate, full of detail (adjective)
 “He no longer sang the
nonsense songs that had
once made Annemarie and
Kirsti shriek with laughter.
And he never lingered
anymore.” (pg. 17)

lingered
Remained behind, stayed later or longer (verb)
 “Kirsti dwadled just behind
them or scampered ahead,
never out of their sight.”
(pg. 19)

scampered
Scurried, rushed (verb)
 “He was a tall teenager with
thick glasses, stooped
shoulders, and unruly hair.”
(pg. 20)

unruly
Poorly controlled or disciplined,
difficult to manage (adjective)
 “Alone in the apartment
while Mama was out
shopping with Kirsti,
Annemarie and Ellen were
sprawled on the living room
floor playing paper dolls.”
(pg.27)

sprawled
Spread out either on purpose
or as a result of a fall (verb)
 “The door opened and Kirsti
stomped in, her face tear-
stained and glowering.
Mama followed her with an
exasperated look and set a
package down on the table.”
(pg. 28)

exasperated
Frustrated, out of patience (adjective)