Whirligig by Paul Fleischman

careened Verb To lean or sway to one side

reconnoitered Verb ree-kuh-noi-ter to inspect, observe, or survey (as in trying to gain information from an enemy)

caustic Adjective Severely sarcastic or critical; also, capable of burning or corroding

famine Noun An extreme scarcity of food; starvation

shaman Noun A person who acts as intermediary between the real world and the supernatural

labyrinth Noun An intricate combination of paths or passages; a maze

perennial Adjective Lasting a long time, such as perennial beauty a plant having a life cycle of more than 2 years

scoffing Verb Mocking; making fun of

obituary Noun A notice of the death of a person, usually a biographical sketch

ethereal Adjective Light, airy, or heavenly

eulogy Noun A speech or praise of a person, often in honor of a deceased person

penance Noun A punishment, often imposed by a church

dubious Adjective Doubtful or questionable

hostels Noun Inexpensive lodging for youths, for example, traveling by bike; an inn

soliloquy Noun the act of talking while or as if alone Hamlet’s famous soliloquy begins: “To be or not to be”

skeins Noun A length of yarn or thread wound around a reel It could also be a skein of hair, a skein of geese, or a skein of words

raucously Adverb Harshly; disorderly

kinetic Adjective Pertaining to motion, such as running or dancing

contradance Noun A courtly version of the English country dance

(Not on the test) Lingerie Beret Shearwater