Memorizing new words and their meanings can be pretty hard or just downright boring! But this innovative book may have your children begging for more! When I (Jessica) reviewed this entertaining book, I could barely put it down long enough to write this review! The words are presented in such a fun way, they’re sure to stick with you for a long time. First, each word is written in BIG, BOLD letters with a pronunciation and the definition. Then, under that, the word is changed to what it “sounds” like. Then the best part! There is a short paragraph, a setting that you picture in your own mind, sometimes using the presented word, but centered around what it sounds like. Funny, and interesting, this is the part that really assures retention. Here’s an example:

OBSCURE (obb-SKYOOR) adj.- hazy, unfamiliar, difficult to understand. Sounds like: Hobb’s cure.

Picture in your mind a patient coming out of Dr. Hobb’s office. The patient’s wife questions him about the examination.

    Wife: What did Dr. Hobb say?

    Patient: I’m not sure.

    Wife: Well did he say its curable?

    Patient: I think so, but maybe not. He was pretty vague.

    Wife: What’s the prescription for?

    Patient: I have no idea. He told me but I didn’t understand.

    Wife: This is Dr. Hobb’s cure? Send your patient away in a fog?

    Patient: It might be. How would I tell?

See, isn’t that fun? Adding to the mental “picture” there are humorous black and white cartoon drawings for about 100 of the words. At the end is a note which tells you to mentally connect that word with others, or warns you not to confuse it with words that look similar. Also, as the title states, these words are ones found often on the SAT and other standardized tests. Learn as many new words a day as you want -and keep them with you....for life!