Awesome Grammar is another book from Becky Burckmyer that makes language arts more easily digestible. Not as playful as Awesome Vocabulary, another book she wrote for Career Press, this book is a straightforward look at the basic elements of writing and common mistakes.

Burckmyer is a stickler for getting things right. But she still maintains a sense of humor about her topic throughout the book. The English language is complex, and sometimes learning grammar rules can leave a student in a fog. That's not the case with Awesome Grammar. The author's explanations and examples are clear and simple. More important for the student, the book is interesting. Not merely a list of grammar rules, Awesome Grammar digs into the "why" behind the rules.

The book takes you through the parts of speech, correct usage, and ways to "beautify" your writing. Each chapter ends with a brief review and self-check questions to make sure you understand the material presented. This book, which retails for $11.99, is ideal for a refresher in English basics before moving on to composition. It is organized in a way that makes it an excellent and easy-to-use reference tool as well.