1

companionsCompanions: a group that keeps someone from being alone

Sentence from story: “His only companions were his severed tail, two empty shipping crates, and a jar of salted duck eggs.” p.455

2

homageHomage: special public honor

Sentence from story: “…the dragons of her childhood were royal in appearance and received the homage of every living creature.” p.459

3

scragglyScraggly: shabby or torn

Sentence from story: “The Last Dragon had a faded face, a scraggly crest, and no eyes.” p.460

4

crestCrest: something, like feathers, that grows on an animal’s head.

Sentence from story: “The Last Dragon had a faded face, a scraggly crest, and no eyes.” p.460

5

mahjonggmahjongg: (ma-zhong) a Chinese game played with tiles that look like dominoes.

Sentence from story: “Today I play mahjongg with my friends,” said Great Aunt.” p.460

6

suspiciouslysuspiciously: acting as if something is wrong or bad.

Sentence from story: “”What did you bring?” he asked suspiciously.” p.462

7

plierspliers: a metal hand tool with jaws for holding, bending, or cutting

Sentence from story: “Miss Rose Chiao set her pliers aside and examined the tail.” p.465

8

scalesscales: small, thin, flat parts that cover a fish or reptile

Sentence from story: “One day she began to sew on shining scales.” p.467

9

blessedblessed: made holy

Sentence from story: “They must be blessed by a priest, or the dragon will never see.” p.467

10

characterscharacters: symbols or letters used in printing or writing

Sentence from story: “The red characters looked strong and fierce.” p. 468

11

fiercefierce: wild and mean

Sentence from story: “The red characters looked strong and fierce.” p. 468

12

typhoontyphoon: a tropical storm occurring in the western Pacific or Indian Oceans.

Sentence from story: “Why, he looks fierce enough to cause a typhoon.” p. 468

13

celebrationcelebration: a party or festival

Sentence from story: “…Great Aunt hosted a farewell celebration at the Golden Palace Restaurant…” p.472

14

vialvial: a small, glass container

Sentence from story: “The priest dipped a bamboo brush in a vial of black ink…” p. 475

15

rakedraked: searched

Sentence from story: “The Last Dragon’s eyes raked the room from side to side.” p.476

16

snakedsnaked: moving in a winding and twisting way

Sentence from story: “…he snaked among the tables and around the room.”

17

teemingteeming: full, crowdedSentence from story:

“And so the Last Dragon paraded through the teeming streets of Chinatown.” p. 476