Judy Galbraith

The Gifted Kids Survival Guide by Judy Galbraith. Epiphany library section 10 D: Youth (Gr. 6-8), Character Building. This book for gifted and talented (GT) kids aged 11-18 helps them understand what giftedness is, its advantages and disadvantages, how to deal with it, how to find curricula and school programs for GT teens, and the rights they deserve.
Gifted kids often feel isolated from peers because of the label itself, because they learn with greater ease, or because of visible talents. Peers may tease, bully, or withdraw from gifted kids to the point that GT kids may find it less hurtful and more interesting to spend their time with caring adults who respect their abilities but allow them to kick back and just be themselves.
In addition GT kids may feel pressured to perform perfectly. Such high expectations are unfair and stressful. Gifted kids are often very tuned into world problems, and they may worry about nuclear war or cosmic destruction. If not in gifted school programs, they may find school boring and tune out or quit.
On the good side, gifted kids can be highly creative, finding unique ways to solve problems. They may feel human injustice keenly and work to alleviate it. They often have a facile sense of humor, getting jokes peers do not. The speed with which they learn can make it challenging for parents and teachers to keep up.
Gifted/talented kids are still kids though. They need and deserve help dealing with their abilities. Luckily more and more schools have gifted programs where fast learners are grouped by ability, which is necessary in order to keep them engaged and challenged. Meanwhile, this book will help gifted/talented kids cope with their abilities. It is both welcome and necessary.… (more)