Tracy Inman

Just received my early reviewer copy and based on the struggles we are having with both of our gifted kids in school I read it all in one sitting! What I liked about the book:
Uses research to support statements
Breaks the info down in understandable chunks and headings
Addresses the MANY challenges that parents and the gifted children themselves may face and what you can do to help.
Some days I feel like a compete failure as a parent because I feel like I can't get through to the schools how to show more understand and help my kids be successful. I have known that my kids are very gifted but am frustrated with their , as the book calls it "underachieving". It reminded me that gifted doesn't mean straight As, or perfect. I took a deep breath and realized that they can be amazing and still not turn in homework. So how do we channel that.
As wonderful as this book is and will be for our family, I sure wish my parents would have had a copy when I was growing up since I have struggled with many of the same issues myself.
Great book, recommend that it should be handed out by schools for all kids in gifted programs. show less

As the title suggests, this book is more of a jumping-off point than a meaty resource in its own right. At the end of each chapter, and scattered throughout, the author has helpfully included numerous studies and books which can add greater insight into the issues that gifted children face. I found that the book made a lot of good points, while leaving me with fewer concrete ideas than I would like, as far as practical applications go.

Your gifted child may struggle with schoolwork and you show more should 'advocate for them' but not put undue emphasis on the grade, and also allow them to learn responsibility on their own. So...what does that look like? That's definitely something that I'm still trying to figure out in my daughter's third year of middle school. Many different ways that schools can deal with gifted children are presented, and evaluated. But what do you do if your school does not deal with gifted children the way that you would like? "Advocate for them", the book would again suggest. But how, exactly? Insist that the school change its entire approach? Not likely! And in a rural area with limited options, you may (as we are) be stuck with what you've got.

Of course, you can supplement your child's education by taking an interest in the things that she does, and helping her to explore them, or enrolling her in extracurriculars, and exposing her to community resources and events. But we would do that anyway. Overall, the book left me wishing for more guidance, and fewer citations. show less

This is a book that has been needed for years. It is a great guide to today's parents and also grandparents and guardians. Also it would help out educators and school staff to understand about gifted students.
Each chapter is filled with information but also goes beyond that to provide outside resources and websites for additional information. The book is divided int ten short easy read chapters.
The book also contains a great reference section and even a glossary section for terms you show more encounter in the book and on the outside resources as well.
Even if you suspect that your child is gifted you need to read this book. But you might find out that your child is gifted and never been deemed as gifted by their school, the book also walks a parent thru the steps to better communicate their students needs to educators and to be their best advocate as well.
If you value the future of your child's education at all and you believe them to be gifted in some way then read this book and see how to best support and be the best advocate you can be for them.
The book also refers you to several dozen additional works by these authors and others going back several decades to help you better to understand your gifted student.
My only regret is that a book like this was not around when my parents needed one many years ago.
Read, Enjoy, Advocate, Discuss this book to the fullest!! show less

If you are not sure whether your child or a student of yours is talented and gifted, this book will give you an idea how gifted children think and act (generally speaking). Once you are clear about whether or not your child has special needs due to his or her special talents and abilities, this books gives you a good many ideas what to do, how to work together with the child's school (if this applies), and how to navigate the well neigh inevitable emotional and social issues.

Myths and truths show more about gifted children are discussed, and the book contains helpful advice both for the home and a school room setting. Further reading suggestions are manifold, and many people seem to have contributed to those lists.

I don't know a whole lot about gifted children, but it seems this book gives one a good guide to determine if one's child, or student, is gifted and needs special consideration. show less