In exchange for my honest review, Reader’s Digest books gave me two free grammar books, pictured above. These are wonderful, hardback books that I am pleased to add to our reference library.
At the end of this post is information about how you can win your own copies. So be sure to enter and spread the word.
The Books
The red book is Write (Or Is That “Right”?) Every Time: Cool Ways to Improve Your English by Lottie Stride.
This book would be suitable for upper elementary or middle school students. It has humorous illustrations and a modern font. All the basics of English are covered: parts of speech, parts of the sentence, spelling, and punctuation. It is a quick overview, just enough to jog your memory or provide a sample sentence. There are no exercises or assignments. This is not a textbook but a simple reference book.
The white book is My Grammar and I . . . Or Should That Be Me?: How to Speak and Write It Right by J.A. Wines.
This book is a bit more advanced and more traditional than the other. I would recommend it for middle schoolers (and maybe on into 9th grade). There are no illustrations, but the text is laid out nicely with plenty of headings, subheadings, shaded areas, and offset boxes.
The topics are comparable to Write (Or Is That “Right”?) Every Time: spelling, parts of speech, sentences, and punctuation. Oddly enough, the book has no index. So you have to rely on the table of contents to find what you need.
My Grammar and I is more of a living book than the Write (Or Is That “Right”?) Every Time. It has more commentary and quirky details about the grammar being addressed.
How I Plan to Use These Books
I will certainly have these on the shelf for quick reference. I don’t expect to stop using our Write Source which is far more comprehensive, but sometimes having a “second opinion” is helpful.
Additionally, I think that I will assign sections of My Grammar and I for Sprite to read and narrate back to me, writing her own example sentences to illustrate the facts.
Giveaway Details
Three winners will receive copies of both books in a format of their choice — either hardback or ebook.
[Note: Hardback books are an option only for people living in the USA. International winners will win ebook versions.]
How to Win
Leave me a comment here telling me what you use for a grammar reference, if any. Simple! I’ll randomly choose a winner (via And The Winner Is WordPress plugin) on August 26, a week from today.
Kristen says
We were in the process of looking for something when I found your giveaway!!! This is only my second year so I need all the help I can get!
Thank you!,
Kristen
MO says
I just bought “The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation”, Jane Straus. I can use it as a teaching tool and reference.
Theresa says
We are using Browns Handbook and college textbooks..but I could use something different. 🙂
Giggly Girls says
We don’t really have anything for grammar reference. How sad is that? Thank goodness for google, I guess.
Nikki says
My oldest is turning 4 soon and I plan on homeschooling. I don’t have any grammar books yet–these would be a great start! thanks for the chance to win 🙂
cam says
Oh, how I would love to have these books! We don’t have anything to use as a reference, other than dictionary. Thanks for the giveaway!