Vocabulary-Book One The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread

Ch. 1-The Last One brilliance Find it in the chapter… “The light was shining onto the ceiling in an oval of brilliance, and he was smiling up at the sight.” Which definition? noun 1. intense brightness of light 2. vividness of color 3. exceptional talent or intelligence

Ch. 2-Such a Disappointment disappointment Find it in the chapter… “You are such a disappointment to your mama.” Which definition? noun -a feeling of sadness or displeasure when 1. something doesn’t go the way you wanted or 2. someone doesn’t do what you want them to do

Ch. 3-Once Upon a Time dungeon Find it in the chapter… “Have I mentioned that beneath the castle there was a dungeon? In the dungeon, there were rats.” Does the definition fit? noun -a dark, underground room in a castle used to lock up prisoners

Ch. 4-Enter the Pea instinct Find it in the chapter… “The music made him lose his head and act against the few small mouse instincts that he was in possession of...” Does the definition fit? noun -a natural way of acting or thinking

Ch. 5-What Furlough Saw ridiculous Find it in the chapter… “Is it ridiculous for a very small, sickly big-eared mouse to fall in love with a beautiful human princess named Pea?” Does the definition fit? adjective -bizarre or very strange, laughable

Ch. 6-This Drum tribunal Find it in the chapter… “He must be punished. He must be brought up before the tribunal.” Does the definition fit? noun -1. a court of justice 2. a seat for judges

Ch.7-A Mouse in Love honor Find it in the chapter… “ ‘I honor you’ was what the knight said to the fair maiden in the story that Despereaux read every day in the book in the library.” Which definition fits? noun -1. respect that is given someone who is loved 2. an opportunity to do something that makes you proud 3. a title for a judge or a mayor

Ch.8-To the Rats perfidy Find it in the chapter… “At least Lester had the decency to weep at his act of perfidy.” Does the definition fit? noun -1. an act of betrayal, or of not being loyal

Ch.9-The Right Question fate Find it in the chapter… “He allowed his brother to lead him to his fate.” Does the definition fit? noun -1. the future that someone or something will have

Ch.10-Good Reasons renounce Find it in the chapter… “’But first,’ said the Most Very Honored Head Mouse, ‘we will give you the chance to renounce your actions.” Which definition fits? verb -1. to say that you will not follow or obey any longer 2. to formally give something up

Ch.11-The Threadmaster Cometh courtesy Find it in the chapter… “You love her with a courtly love, a love that is based on bravery and courtesy and honor and devotion.” Does the definition fit? noun -polite behavior that shows your respect for someone

Ch.12-Adieu swoon Find it in the chapter… “But his mother, who had an excellent sense of dramatic timing, beat him to it; she executed a beautiful, flawless swoon, landing right at Despereaux’s feet.” Which definition fits? verb -1. to become overly excited about something 2. to suddenly collapse and lose consciousness, to faint

Ch.13-Perfidy Unlimited abyss Find it in the chapter… “They stood, the three mice, two with hoods and one without, and contemplated the abyss before them.” Does the definition fit? noun -a hole so deep, it cannot be measured

Ch.14-Darkness despair Find it in the chapter… “It stank of despair and suffering and hopelessness.” Does the definition fit? noun -a feeling of no longer having any hope

Ch.15-Light ironies Find it in the chapter… “You are talking to Gregory the jailer, who, in the richest of ironies, is nothing but a prisoner here himself.” Does the definition fit? noun -words that mean the opposite of what you expected