The Liars Society: Chapters 9–17

by Alyson Gerber
Are there, in life, some lies or secrets that are impossible to overcome? Both Weatherby and Jack — prestigious Boston School middle schoolers, but from very different backgrounds — must work together to solve a mystery that forces them to face the lies and secrets in their own lives.

Here are links to our lists for the book: Chapters 1–3, Chapters 4–8, Chapters 9–17, Chapters 18–25, Chapters 26–34
15 words 9 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. gawk
    look with amazement
    My eyes stray out the window and I can’t help but gawk at the beautiful horses trotting around a perfectly manicured polo field.
  2. shorthand
    a method of writing rapidly
    I knew the note wasn’t for me, but technically I’m Charles Hunt too, so I took the letter. I couldn’t help myself, especially after I saw T > T/T > T, shorthand for the Last Heir oath, scrawled on the envelope.
  3. deadpan
    without betraying any feeling
    Chief Roberts taps his pen. “Do you consider your brother an enemy?”
    I hold my breath.
    “I don’t consider my brother at all,” Dad says, deadpan.
  4. exclusive
    admitting or accepting only a particular group
    "This invitation is only for you. An exclusive game for a select few."
  5. magnate
    a very wealthy or powerful businessperson
    “Last Heir is a secret society for world leaders, magnates, and royalty.”
  6. pathological
    caused by or evidencing a mentally disturbed condition
    “Yates is pathological. He lies about everything. He’ll do whatever he can to mess with Dad.”
  7. tiller
    lever used to turn the rudder on a boat
    Without thinking, I instinctively start to talk, telling Jack the story of what I’m seeing, while he fiddles with the tiller in his hand.
  8. ominously
    in a manner suggesting something bad will happen
    I go back outside, but I don’t see Coach Greenleaf or Coach Davis anywhere. Even with my heart beating hard in my ears, the dock is ominously quiet.
  9. commonwealth
    a politically organized body of people under a government
    “The walkway leading to the home of a student who attends the Boston School, the oldest prep school in the Commonwealth and the country, was graffitied with the words:
    “ ‘Liar, liar, Harper’s pants on fire.’ ”
  10. scandal
    a disgraceful event
    “This is the second scandal for the local prep school, which just last week had $250,000 stolen from a discretionary fund in their endowment.”
  11. discretionary
    not earmarked; available for use as needed
    “This is the second scandal for the local prep school, which just last week had $250,000 stolen from a discretionary fund in their endowment.”
  12. endowment
    the capital that provides income for an institution
    “This is the second scandal for the local prep school, which just last week had $250,000 stolen from a discretionary fund in their endowment.”
  13. beady
    small, round, and shiny
    When his beady brown eyes lock on mine, fear tugs at my chest.
  14. relevant
    having a bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
    “I don’t see how that’s relevant,” Dad cuts in.
  15. pull strings
    influence or control shrewdly or deviously
    I bet Last Heir pulls all kinds of strings for society members. If I play and win, I’ll be one of them, they’ll pull strings for me, and I’ll get to stay at Boston no matter what.
Created on 六月 25, 2026 (updated 六月 30, 2026)

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