Wonder — Vocabulary
R. J. Palacio
(Edited)

Book sample Uses ACT/SAT
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themetheme → themes:basic ideas
While reading up on his life in preparation for this award, I came upon a passage that he wrote that seemed particularly consistent with the themes I touched on earlier, ... Not just the nature of kindness, but the nature of one's kindness. The power of one's friendship. The test of one's character. The strength of one's courage—p.303.73 more
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The party had a 1950's theme.more
an idea that is unifying or recurrent
Show general definition for theme (as in: theme of the novel) a basic idea that underlies what is being said or done -- especially in a literary or artistic work
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theme#2music that is most repeated in a film
I could almost hear the Star Wars theme music playing in my head as I stood on the stage.p.306.63 more
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I smile every time I hear The Simpson's theme music.more
primary melody
Show general definition for theme (as in: musical theme) the initial or primary melody of a musical composition

or

(as in "theme song") music that is most repeated in a film, television series, or other theatrical production
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environmentthe natural world
The Broarwood Nature Reserve, as you know, is dedicated to preserving our natural resources and the environment.p.261.65 more
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She made the environment the top concern in her speech and warned against spoiling the earth.more
Show general definition for environment (as in: the environmental movement) the natural world (life, air, water, land...) -- often used in reference to the impact of human technology
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environment#2surrounding conditions
See, there's this boy who's starting middle school this year, and he's never been in a real school environment before because he was homeschooled, so...p.134.75 more
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Cactus survives in the harsh desert environment.more
Show general definition for environment (as in: her family environment) surrounding conditions
in various senses, including:
  • conditions in a location or geographic area -- as in "the desert environment"
  • conditions that affect a particular activity -- as in "the learning environment"
  • conditions that create a certain mood -- as in "a competitive environment," or "a romantic environment,"
  • conditions that impact a particular computer system, subsystem, or program -- as in "the Windows environment"
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literallyactually (not an exaggeration)
It was so dark now we literally couldn't see ten steps ahead of us as we walked toward the woods.p.263.76 more
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She wasn't literally advocating physical violence.more
using the most basic meaning of the words
Show general definition for literally (as in: literally--not figuratively) actually true using the basic meaning of the words (not an exaggeration, metaphor, or other type of figurative speech)
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literally#2so much it was like
Anyway, about five minutes after I got there, Henry and Savanna were standing next to me, literally hovering over me.p.122.66 more
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I literally feel like a prisoner in my own home.more
an intensifier (to intensify what is said)
Show general definition for literally (as in: literally at death's door) an intensifier (to intensify what is said -- especially a metaphor)
Show editor's word notes Since literally can mean actually true, but can also be used to intensify a metaphor, the reader has to use context to know what the word means.

For example, if you read "She stabbed him in the back," you would probably assume she betrayed him. But if you read it in a murder mystery where the victim was stabbed, you might assume you were being told that she actually stabbed him.

Because confusion can arise from this kind of usage, many authorities discourage using literally to intensify a metaphor--especially in formal usage.
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neutralnot favoring either side
I guess even though she was neutral, she didn't want to be seen with me.p.173.84 more
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Switzerland remained neutral during the Second World War.more
not taking either side
Show general definition for neutral (as in: played at a neutral site) not favoring any side in a contest, war, disagreement, or other dispute
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passagea short part of a longer written work
"There's another passage in a different book I'd like to share with you," he said.p.300.41 more
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Each passage below is followed by a number of questions.more
Show general definition for passage (as in: In lines 1-9 of the passage...) a short part of a longer written work
Show editor's word notes This meaning of passage is commonly seen on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT.
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aversiondislike that leads to avoidance
I have an aversion to having my picture taken.p.70.42 more
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Of the two, she has a greater aversion to risk.more
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mischievousmischievous → mischievously:in a manner that playfully causes minor trouble
"Are you Via's boyfriend?" Auggie asked mischievously, and his sister pulled his cap down over his face.p.184.51 more
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The mischievous puppy kept stealing socks and hiding them under the couch.more
playfully causing minor trouble
Show general definition playfully causing minor trouble; or describing the smile of someone doing so
Show editor's word notes Much less commonly, mischievous can reference real harm without any sense of fun. But in modern writing, that usage has largely shifted to other words like malicious, destructive, or damaging.
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attributeattribute → attribution:the act of crediting the source of the idea
It can be something you made up for yourself or something you've read somewhere that means something to you. (If so, don't forget the attribution, please!)p.288.8
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She attributed this quotation to Shakespeare.more
attribute → attributed:credited (pointed to as the source of)
Show general definition for attribute (as in: I attribute it to...) to credit (a source for something)
in two typical senses:
  • "I attribute it to her work." -- to say who or what made something happen
  • "Remember to attribute any quotations in your paper." -- indicate the source of a quotation or idea
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negativething that is bad or harmful
The only negative about my going to Savanna's party was that now I wouldn't be able to go to the parade and the unicorn costume would he wasted.p.121.8
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Higher interest rates negatively affected home sales.more
negative → negatively:in a bad or harmful manner
Show general definition for negative (as in: had a negative effect) bad or harmful
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diversevaried (made up of different kinds of people)
It was a larger group than I'd been accustomed to hanging out with, and a more diverse crowd.p.107.9
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The college wants a diverse student body.more
varied (in this case, of different ethnic groups and genders)
Show general definition varied or (having differences amongst things of the same kind) -- especially with regard to ideas or members of a population group
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preceptimportant principle or rule for behavior
He turned around and wrote in big huge block letters that spread all the way across the chalkboard: MR. BROWNE'S SEPTEMBER PRECEPT: WHEN GIVEN THE CHOICE BETWEEN BEING RIGHT OR BEING KIND, CHOOSE KIND.p.47.919 more
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She accepts the Golden Rule as a precept.more
rule for behavior
Show general definition a rule for behavior -- especially a shared moral doctrine
5
mutationmutation → mutations:changes in the genes that determine biological traits
Sometimes these mutations occur during pregnancy.p.104.44 more
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The gene (which greatly increases the carrier's chance of getting colon cancer by age 80) is believed to have been tracked to a mutation in the Fry family in 1630.more
change in the genes
Show general definition a change in the genes that determine biological traits; or the result of the change
2
phobiaextreme and unreasonable fear of something
No, actually, it's not a phobia. It's an "aversion," which is a word I just learned in Mr. Browne's class.p.70.31 more
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One of the most common phobias is agoraphobia--the fear of being in public places.more
phobia → phobias:extreme and unreasonable fears of things
Show general definition extreme and unreasonable fear of something
Show editor's word notes Many words end with "phobia" to indicate "fear of" something. It is also common to turn the noun into an adjective with an "ic" suffix; e.g., "phobic" or "xenophobic."
2
white liean unimportant lie (told to be helpful)
"So you lied," I said.
"A white lie, but yes. Sorry," she said, trying to smile, but when I didn't smile back, she turned around in her seat and faced forward.p.12.11 more
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I told a white lie to bolster her battered ego.more
an unimportant lie told to be helpful
Show general definition an unimportant lie (especially one told to be polite or helpful)
1
i.e.that is to say
At the very least, I am somewhat troubled that this child was not held to the same stringent application standards (i.e. interview) that the rest of the incoming middle-school students were.p.162.7
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Most of the items the store sells are private-label, i.e., not national brands you'd recognize.more
in other words
Show general definition that is to say; or in other words
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genesegment of DNA that can influence biological traits
The weird thing is, though you'd never know it from looking at them: both my parents carry that mutant gene.p.104.920 more
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The gene determines hair color.more
a DNA sequence or unit of heredity that influences biological traits
Show general definition for gene (as in: the gene impacts eye color) a DNA sequence or unit of heredity that influences biological traits
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coincidencea situation where things happened at the same time by chance even though it was unlikely
The teachers assigned seats in every class, and I ended up sitting next to Jack in every single class, so I figured either the teachers were told to put me and Jack together, or it was a totally incredible coincidence.p.63.21 more
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It was a pure coincidence that both got sick the same weekend.more
Show general definition a situation where two things happened at the same time or in the same way by chance even though it was unlikely