Vocabulary from the book Hoot Chapters 1-5

vandalism Vandalism is intentional damage or destruction to property. (4) “The dispatcher said you wanted to report some vandalism.” (p. 4)

skeptical If you are skeptical of something, you doubt it. (12) Garret looked skeptical. “An outlaw? You mean like Jesse James?” (p.12)

doggedly To do something doggedly is to do it with much determination without giving up; stubborn. (16) A hundred yards ahead, the boy cut sharply to the right and disappeared into the pine trees. Roy doggedly aimed himself for the woods. (p.16)

sarcasm Sarcasm is a form of humor that uses sharp, cutting remarks intended to mock someone. “We don’t appreciate sarcasm here at Trace Middle,” said Miss Hennepin. (p. 18)

menace A menace is someone or something that represents a threat. (19) “Matherson is the menace. He hassles all the smaller kids on the bus.” (p. 19)

snidely If you say something snidely, you say it in an offensive or hurtful manner. (22) “Oh, I heard all about it,” the girl said snidely, “but that’s not why you ran off, was it?” (p. 22)

balefully To do something balefully means to do it in a threatening or harmful way. (23) Glaring balefully over the top of her red-framed eyeglasses, she said, “From now on, mind your own business.” (p. 23)

provoke When you provoke someone, you arouse them to feel something, usually anger, or to do something bad. (27) “You didn’t do something to provoke him, did you?” asked Mr. Eberhardt. (p. 27)

sinewy Someone who is sinewy is strong and muscular. (30) Roy would lie on his pillow and stare at the poster, imagining that he was the sinewy young bull rider in the picture. (p. 30)

disgruntled Someone who is disgruntled is in a bad or angry mood. (35) “Okay,” said Officer Delinko, rubbing his chin, “so, then, how about a disgruntled customer?” (p. 35)

civilized To be civilized is to be culturally or socially developed. (45) “Next time you’ve got a problem just tell me, and then we’ll sit down and talk about it like civilized human beings.” (p. 45)