Think of this inexpensive book not so much as a spelling program, but more as a spelling instructor. The focus is on letter sounds and spelling rules. For instance, the long o sound can be made with the following letter combinations: o, o_e, oa, oe, ow, au, eau, oh, ol, ou, ough, eo, ew. At our house, spelling instruction coincides with phonics instruction in the early grades. We commonly study a letter combination and related words one day, a different letter combination that makes the same sound (with related words) another, then give words with both letter combinations another day to ensure they have really learned the words. This book does a good job of listing letter combinations that can make each sound (common, unusual, and oddball), as well as giving many other spelling rules on plurals, prefixes and suffixes, compound words, homonyms, and Greek and Latin root words. 102 activities, with answers in the book, are included. Consider this one if you want a basic framework on which to base your own spelling program, or if you have a junior high or high schooler needing remedial spelling work. 255 pgs, pb.