Customer Reviews

100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know

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I was strolling through my local bookstore and spotted this title in the reference section, begging to be picked up and thumbed through. I really wanted to check my vocabulary with that of a respectable high school senior.

It was eye-opening to say the least. The last time I was in a conventional classroom was upon receiving my bachelor's degree twenty years ago..... and I wondered if I had been adequately introduced to these words then... or not?

(It reminds me of the line Tom Hanks speaks in "Sleepless in Seattle" - "I don't even want to think about what they are not teaching you in school.")

I knew some words well - like oligarchy and usurp and feckless. I patted myself on the back in that moment.

I had been able to sort of "get" inculcate (to impress upon the mind of another by frequent instruction) but on the other hand, I had no idea what nanotechnology meant nor did I know much about the word "evanescent" except for some songs made popular by a band called "Evanescence" which I now can tell you means "vanishing like vapors."

The book includes an occasional quote from thinkers and writers which incorporates the word being stressed. My favorites included Willa Cather and Thomas Hobbes.

I noticed from visiting here at Amazon there is also a version of this book for college freshmen. I think my seventh grade daughter and I will start with that volume (a word a day) and work up to this one.

Not only was it educational, it was enjoyable - a significant combination.

This book is easy to read and made it fun to learn new words. My 17-year-old son has added significantly to his vocabulary. There are some words that I am not sure I would have included in the list of 100, but regardless, it's a worthy investment.

I've been using this book to review vocbulary and spelling with my high school creative writing classes. It's a terrific concept but the word choice is a bit odd. As a college grad and professional author, I have rarely needed to know words like BAWDLERIZE or QUOTIDIAN.

My wife and I have nine children (all our own creations) and the 12th grandchild is almost here. It's fair to say we therefore have a reasonably comprehensive experience of education up to and including tertiary level.

Words are creative things and the beauty of this book is in the challenges it fosters in those who browse its pages. You see a word which sinks into your psyche before re-emerging at an appropriate time. This may seem obvious, but it is not if you are not exposed to words and the chellenges they create.

We purchased it for a 10-year-old grandchild who showed it to his mother who then drew it to the attention of his teachers at school. The ultimate beneficiary of our purchase will be the other students at his because the teachers' eyes were opened to the fact a 10-year-old may be leaving them behind!

Much appreciation to the editors.

Regards

Michael Allan

41 Tauranga Bay

RD2

Westport 7892

NEW ZEALAND

3 1/2 stars really. A very well done book, but the choice of words seems all wrong. How about more words you will actually use? I love the pronunciation guides, the definitions, the quotes, but not the actual choice of words. I mean seriously, "antebellum, bowdlerize, expurgate, moiety, and orthography." I am a college-educated adult who has been in book clubs and who tutors all ages children and I never see or use a lot of the words in this book. What use would an 18 year old have for them?

I am using this book with students in a developmental English class to develop vocabulary. I use it with a strategy for remembering new vocabulary called LINCS. This strategy uses a reminding word, story, and picture to link the new word and its meaning. The students have enjoyed it.

Highly recommend this book. Every High School graduate should know what these words mean and be able to spell correctly.

So sad so many high school students don't even have a dictionary. Ipod, cell phone, yes...dictionary, no...So goes the country.