Pioneer Girl by Andrea Warren

1. Pioneer Girl by Andrea Warren Vocabulary by Marsha Basanda

2. Chapter 1 • satchel-a small bag, sometimes with a shoulder strap • homesteader-a settler under the Homestead Act • Homestead Act-act of Congress that made public land in west available to settlers for farms • cultivated-prepared and used for raising crops

3. Chapter 1 continued • immigrant-someone who migrates to another country usually for permanent residence • memoir-a narrative composed from personal experience • soddies-houses made of sod (“Nebraska marble”) • desolate-barren, lonely

4. Chapter 1 continued • scarce-rare, not abundant • drought-a time of no rain • stampede-a sudden rush of a herd of frightened animals • blizzard-a blowing snowstorm • whitewashed-a composition of lime and water used for whitening walls • insulation-layer of material used to stop heat from escaping

5. Chapter 2 • burrowed-made a hole or passage in, into, or under something • shuddered-trembled from fear, horror, or cold • crevice-a crack forming an opening • kerosene-a kind of fuel • trough-a long, narrow open container used to hold water or food for animals • tumbleweeds-plants detached from their roots and blown by wind

6. Chapter 3 • livestock-horses, cattle, sheep, and other useful animals raised on a farm or ranch • cellar-a place used to store food • parlor-a room used for entertaining visitors • sunbonnet-a bonnet with a large brim to shade the face • threshing machine-a machine used to separate the grain from the plant

7. Chapter 3 continued • chamber pot-a bowl-shaped container used as a toliet • porcelain-a kind of ceramic material used to make dishes, dolls, and other items • privies-outhouses • socialized-mingled and associated with other people • preserved-made lasting, maintained

8. Chapter 4 • glacier-a slowly moving extended mass of ice • discharge-to fire or shoot • firebreak-a strip of cleared land made to stop the spread of a prairie or forest fire • whatnots-a stand with shelves for books or decorative small articles • bundles-a quantity of material gathered or bound together

9. Chapter 5 • fertile-rich soil capable of producing crops • strewn-scattered or thrown here and there • ornery-stubborn, unpleasant • calico-a patterned cotton cloth

10. Chapter 6 • genteel-extremely polite • corset-a close-fitting undergarment tightened by lacing worn by women to shape the body (a kind of girdle) • scarce-rare • seamstress-woman whose occupation is sewing

11. Chapter 7 • bedfast-confined to bed by illness • begrudged-reluctant to give, envied someone’s good fortune • bales-large bundles secured by cords or wires • frantic-desperate • infestation-invasion of insects or pests • plague-widespread disaster

12. Chapter 8 • sieve-an instrument with a meshed bottom used for straining • rodents-gnawing mammals like mice, rats • husking bee-a gathering of farm families to husk corn usually as a party • masquerades-parties featuring guests wearing masks and costumes • overshoes-shoes or boots worn over another for protection from water or cold

13. Chapter 8 continued • surreys-four-wheeled carriages • pavilion-an open building used for shelter • whooping cough-an infectious disease with convulsive coughs, pertussis • scorching-very hot or burning

14. Chapter 9 • prosperity-good fortune • lagoons-small,pondlike bodies of water connected with a larger body of water • ration-a limited amount

15. Chapter 10 • irrigate-supply with water • scarlet fever-contagious disease characterized by scarlet skin eruptions and a high fever • smallpox-contagious disease characterized by skin eruptions that leave scars • gored-pierced with a horn or tusk • soothe-calm, comfort • withered-shriveled, decayed • measly-small, slight

16. Chapter 11 • bedbugs-flat, wingless, bloodsucking insects that infest beds • cosigned-signed with someone else • chokeberries-a berrylike fruit from a shrub of the rose family • reins-leather straps attached to a bridle by which a rider controls a horse or other animal

17. Chapter 12 • Stetson hat-cowboy hat • stillborn-died when born • exquisite-extra ordinarily fine or beautiful