Not so riled I couldnt

say yes (p. 11)

to make
(someone) very
excited; transitive
verb

In this context, riled is used

to say that Billie Jo is
excited to play piano. I like
how its used because the
definition used is not the
most common one.

She always gets testy

about me playing (p.
12)

becoming angry or
annoyed easily;
adjective

I like that the author

used this word instead
of a normal, boring
word.

whittled

Were all whittled

down to the bone
these days (p. 16)

to wear oneself or
another out with
fretting; intransitive
verb

Whittled means to
carve or trim down but
this way it means
wearing each other
out.

oilcloth

But after Ma emptied the

sack, setting each packet
out on the oilcloth, she
counted her change.(p.19)

cloth that is
treated with oil so
that it does not let
water in; noun

I like that she used

oilcloth because it
caused me to look it
up so I learn
something new.

dazzled

I remember being
dazzled by her
whenever she played
the piano. (p.24)

to greatly impress or
surprise (someone)
by being very
attractive or exciting;
intransitive verb

Dazzled usually means

bright and she used a
different context but both
definitions make sense
depending on your
thinking.

riled

testy