An Introduction to Chemistry for Biology Students, Ninth Edition, by George I. Sackheim. From Pearson, same publisher as the Campbell's Biology text we are using. This is an excellent book to go through (quick and easy) before starting study of biology. As the intro states, "If you have already had a course in chemistry, this programmed book can serve as an effective review of the fundamental concepts. If you have had no previous chemistry, the program will give you the background you need to gain a clear understanding of the biological processes you will be studying."

This book was great for me as a person who had fairly thorough chemistry, but long ago. I don't remember anything about "Lewis dot structures" or valence shell diagrams... but wow are they helpful in understanding how atoms interact.

The format of the book is great because it takes you through the entire contents via questions, building up more and more information as you go, with the answers in a gray area on the side you are supposed to cover as you work through the material (but then check answers as you've completed each page or question). This is really an excellent structure for immediate feedback and reinforcing understanding, as well as allowing a student to work through the material on her own.