Let's Review: English

Don't be misled, as I nearly was, by the September 2000, the first, review below. The book I just got is 2005 copyright and even includes the June test of that year. It compares favorably with Kaplan and Princeton, five years (!) more current than the first and two (by copyright, but more than that on the inside) than the second. Princeton's better in one respect: its large format allows it to be used more easily as a workbook (Venn diagrams, outline, even lined pages for notes)but it has only three actual exams, June, August 2001, January 2002; Barron's has these and the succeeding seven! If you've got the money, it might be best to get both Barron's and Princeton and use what extra material (the analysis and two practice exams) the second has as an introduction in the tenth grade, and use Barron's in the eleventh. My last favorable comment is on Barron's conversion charts, translating the 1-6 rubric back to the 0 to 100 grid. Ah, the old days: a different rubric, but still with Barron's under the elastic bookstraps on the subway! Forty years ago (for this reviewer) and still the best today.

Each section provides definitions, examples, and explanations to make all the basics, and then some, understandable. There's plenty here, including grammar, literature, and vocabulary--even a nice listing of Greek & Latin root words and affixes. The sample questions & answers are a good study tool as well. A very nice reference for teachers and LA students as well as those taking Regents.