Deborah L. Ruf

In her introduction, Dr. Ruf notes, "We are a democracy. We want everyone to have the opportunity to learn at an optimal level. Yet we are neglecting our brightest children." From her own perspective as a parent of gifted children, plus contributions by other parents, it is clear how true this is, and also how being a parent can be particularly challenging when a child is gifted.

Part of this challenge, as many comments in the book indicate, is that parents may themselves be gifted and, as show more Linda Silverman has commented elsewhere,"not be fully cognizant of their abilities." Gifted children can experience and exhibit a range of emotional aspects related to giftedness, as noted in the book - anger, hostility, condescension toward their teachers - and they need teachers "who can appreciate children, who know how and when to be flexible, and who have the confidence and wherewithal to respond in a mature manner," as Dr. Ruf writes.

The same can apply to parents, of course. Parenting gifted kids takes commitment and courage. This book can help parents and others to see the ways in which our society and schools fall short in meeting the needs of kids who have the greatest potential, if only it can be nurtured. show less