Best Russian Workbooks Under $20 (2026): 4 Picks Compared

For learners starting Russian, or working on handwriting and grammar, the best russian workbooks under 20 in this list cover cursive tracing, alphabet practice and conjunctions, compared by fit, contents and listed level. The picks below suit beginners and learners who want practice pages, with cursive and grammar workbooks side by side.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Cursive Workbook by Moon	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Grammar Workbook by Mastery	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Handwriting Workbook by Smart Kids	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Master the Russian Alphabet by Lang	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Cursive Workbook by Moon

Victoria Moon·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For kids and adults learning cursive, this 100-page workbook traces letters, words and sentences with pronunciation and pictures.

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Pros

• 100 pages tracing letters, words and sentences in cursive
• Pronunciation and a word for each letter, with a picture
• Blank practice pages and upper and lower case practice

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated
• No answer key information is stated
• Cursive style only, with no print-letter practice described

2

Grammar Workbook by Mastery

Lingo Mastery·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For learners working on Russian conjunctions, this 222-page workbook gives theory with examples in context and graded exercises.

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Pros

• 222 pages of theory, examples in context and graded exercises
• Multiple-choice exercises and sentence-joining exercises
• Conversations and small texts based on daily situations

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated
• No answer key information is stated
• Focus is narrow: conjunctions and connective words only

3

Handwriting Workbook by Smart Kids

Smart Kids Press·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 91-page cursive handwriting workbook for kids and adults, with 90 exercise pages of tracing, letters, words and translations.

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Pros

• Suitable for adults is checked in the spec table
• 90 exercise pages with guided arrows for each letter
• Each word has an English translation

Cons

• The description says 90 pages total while the spec table lists 91 pages
• No reading age or grade level is stated
• Independently published with no stated edition

4

Master the Russian Alphabet by Lang

Lang Workbooks·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 110-page handwriting workbook for tracing the Russian alphabet in print and cursive, with stroke-order guidance.

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Pros

• 110 pages with dedicated practice pages for each letter
• Covers print and cursive, upper and lower case
• Stroke-order instructions and pronunciation guidelines

Cons

• Reading age of 1 year and up is stated without a source
• No audio or visual mnemonics, only handwriting practice
• Workbook format, not a picture book for young readers

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More picks to compare

• Russian Handwriting by Russian DesignsFor beginners learning Russian cursive letters, words and sentencesCheck on Amazon
• Russian Grammar by My Daily RussianFor beginners learning Russian grammar with lessons and exercisesCheck on Amazon
• Russian Workbook by KuznetsovFor complete beginners learning the Russian alphabet from scratchCheck on Amazon
• Learn Russian for Adults by ToWinFor adult beginners learning Russian in 3 books in 1Check on Amazon
• Russian Made Easy Level 2Intermediate Russian workbook to build vocabulary and grammarCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 24 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where given. A beginner level is stated for the cursive workbook, while the other picks state no reading age or grade level. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best russian workbooks under 20

Reading level and age

Check the listed level before buying. The cursive workbook by Victoria Moon states it is for beginners, for kids and adults, while the grammar workbook and the title-only workbooks state no reading age or grade level. A beginner should start with tracing and alphabet practice, not with a grammar workbook that assumes conjunctions are already familiar. See workbooks for learning Russian for more beginner options.

Cursive or grammar focus

Choose by skill, not by cover. The cursive workbook traces letters, words and sentences, with pronunciation and a picture for each letter. The grammar workbook covers conjunctions and connective words in context, with graded exercises and conversations based on daily situations. See Russian workbooks for adults if the reader is an adult learner.

Edition and format

Check the publication date on the listing. The grammar workbook is dated October 2, 2020, and the cursive workbook is dated February 17, 2021. The title-only workbooks state no publication date, so check the listing for edition details before buying.

Before you buy

• Check the edition and publication date on the listing before buying.
• Check whether an answer key is included or sold separately.
• Check the reading level against the reader, and note where a listing states no level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a beginner start with Russian workbooks?

Start with a cursive tracing workbook for letters, words and sentences, or with an alphabet practice workbook, before moving to grammar work on conjunctions.

Which edition should I buy?

Buy the edition stated on the listing, and check the publication date: the grammar workbook is dated October 2, 2020, and the cursive workbook is dated February 17, 2021.

Do these workbooks include an answer key?

The listings here do not state an answer key, so check the listing before buying if an answer key matters.

Still deciding? Our top pickCursive Workbook by Moon

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Related lists

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