1. Vocabulary-Book One The Tale of Despereaux:
Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread

2. Ch. 1-The Last One brilliance
Find it in the chapter… “The light was shining onto the ceiling in an oval of brilliance, and he was smiling up at the sight.” Which definition? noun 1. intense brightness of light 2. vividness of color 3. exceptional talent or intelligence

3. Ch. 2-Such a Disappointment disappointment
Find it in the chapter… “You are such a disappointment to your mama.” Which definition? noun -a feeling of sadness or displeasure when 1. something doesn’t go the way you wanted or 2. someone doesn’t do what you want them to do

4. Ch. 3-Once Upon a Time dungeon
Find it in the chapter… “Have I mentioned that beneath the castle there was a dungeon? In the dungeon, there were rats.” Does the definition fit? noun -a dark, underground room in a castle used to lock up prisoners

5. Ch. 4-Enter the Pea instinct
Find it in the chapter… “The music made him lose his head and act against the few small mouse instincts that he was in possession of...” Does the definition fit? noun -a natural way of acting or thinking

6. Ch. 5-What Furlough Saw ridiculous
Find it in the chapter… “Is it ridiculous for a very small, sickly big-eared mouse to fall in love with a beautiful human princess named Pea?” Does the definition fit? adjective -bizarre or very strange, laughable

7. Ch. 6-This Drum tribunal
Find it in the chapter… “He must be punished. He must be brought up before the tribunal.” Does the definition fit? noun -1. a court of justice 2. a seat for judges

8. Ch.7-A Mouse in Love honor
Find it in the chapter… “ ‘I honor you’ was what the knight said to the fair maiden in the story that Despereaux read every day in the book in the library.” Which definition fits? noun -1. respect that is given someone who is loved 2. an opportunity to do something that makes you proud 3. a title for a judge or a mayor

9. Ch.8-To the Rats perfidy
Find it in the chapter… “At least Lester had the decency to weep at his act of perfidy.” Does the definition fit? noun -1. an act of betrayal, or of not being loyal

10. Ch.9-The Right Question fate
Find it in the chapter… “He allowed his brother to lead him to his fate.” Does the definition fit? noun -1. the future that someone or something will have

11. Ch.10-Good Reasons renounce
Find it in the chapter… “’But first,’ said the Most Very Honored Head Mouse, ‘we will give you the chance to renounce your actions.” Which definition fits? verb -1. to say that you will not follow or obey any longer 2. to formally give something up

12. Ch.11-The Threadmaster Cometh courtesy
Find it in the chapter… “You love her with a courtly love, a love that is based on bravery and courtesy and honor and devotion.” Does the definition fit? noun -polite behavior that shows your respect for someone

13. Ch.12-Adieu swoon
Find it in the chapter… “But his mother, who had an excellent sense of dramatic timing, beat him to it; she executed a beautiful, flawless swoon, landing right at Despereaux’s feet.” Which definition fits? verb -1. to become overly excited about something 2. to suddenly collapse and lose consciousness, to faint

14. Ch.13-Perfidy Unlimited abyss
Find it in the chapter… “They stood, the three mice, two with hoods and one without, and contemplated the abyss before them.” Does the definition fit? noun -a hole so deep, it cannot be measured

15. Ch.14-Darkness despair
Find it in the chapter… “It stank of despair and suffering and hopelessness.” Does the definition fit? noun -a feeling of no longer having any hope

16. Ch.15-Light ironies
Find it in the chapter… “You are talking to Gregory the jailer, who, in the richest of ironies, is nothing but a prisoner here himself.” Does the definition fit? noun -words that mean the opposite of what you expected