This section presents terms and phrases that are central to understanding the text and may present a challenge to the reader. Use this list to create a vocabulary quiz or worksheet, to prepare flashcards for a standardized test, or to inspire classroom word games and other group activities.

1. volatile (adjective): 

threatening; explosive

“It was the end of August, all volatile heat and the occasional breeze.” (Chapter 1, Page 1)

2. mediocre (adjective):

only moderate in quality; just adequate

“It didn’t matter that I told people, over and over again, that I was born here, in America, that English was my first language, that my cousins in Iran made fun of me for speaking mediocre Farsi with an American accent—it didn’t matter.” (Chapter 1, Page 4)

3. panopticon (noun):

a building in which one can see all parts of the interior from one place, like a prison or hospital

“Two and half more years until I could get free from this panopticon they called high school, these monsters they called people.” (Chapter 1, Page 11)

4. tedious (adjective):

long, boring, and tiresome

“I survived the first three weeks at my new school with very little to report. It was unexciting. Tedious.” (Chapter 2, Page 14)

5. perfunctory (adjective):

without care or enjoyment; performed as routine

“I interacted with people on only the most basic, perfunctory levels, and otherwise spent most of my time listening to music.