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Gifted Educator and Parent Library

Starting a gifted resource library?  Whether buying for yourself, your gifted advocacy group, or your school, which titles should you purchase?  And why? Here's the short list...

If you can only purchase one book, for teachers and administrators, make it this one!

Being Gifted in School: An Introduction to Development, Guidance, And Teaching by Laurence J. Coleman & Tracy L. Cross (or from Amazon)

For educators, includes definitions and models of giftedness; identification of the gifted; teaching methods and best practices; creativity; counseling and guidance; administrative arrangements; and program prototypes and evaluation...

Further introduction to gifted education, with tons of research citations (and it's FREE!)

Free and priceless - everyone should have and read!
A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America’s Brightest Students The Templeton National Report on Acceleration

Acceleration is a powerful educational ally, but it’s a strategy that requires participation of parents as well as sensitivity to individual needs and circumstances. For that reason, this report is designed not only to persuade readers of the value of acceleration, but also to help schools administer acceleration programs effectively....
Also read the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC) reply Acceleration in Schools: A Call to Action

Introduction to gifted education, for parents and educators

A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children by James T. Webb, Janet L. Gore, Edward R. Amend & Arlene R. DeVries

Raising a gifted child is both a joy and a challenge...  guides parents through all the phases and possibilities of the gifted child, including underachievement, sensitivities, twice exceptionalities, friendships, siblings, schools, identification, and much more!

 

Raising a Gifted Child: A Parenting Success Handbook by Carol Fertig (or from Amazon)

A menu of strategies, resources, organizations, tips, and suggestions for parents to find optimal learning opportunities for their kids, covering the gamut of talent areas, including academics, the arts, technology, creativity, music, and thinking skills. Focused on empowering parents by giving them the tools needed to ensure that their gifted kids are happy and successful both in and out of school...
 

Being Smart about Gifted Education: A Guidebook for Educators and Parents by Dona J. Matthews and Joanne F. Foster

Practical strategies for the education of exceptionally high ability (a.k.a. gifted) children.  After addressing all the questions, debates and arguments about nature vs. nurture, elitism, testing, creativity, and more... all that's left is to serve the child's educational needs! Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca

An oldie but goodie...

Guiding the Gifted Child: A Practical Source for Parents and Teachers by James T. Webb, Elizabeth A. Meckstroth, Stephanie S. Tolan

The original gifted parents' manual, be sure to read it... if you can get your hands on a copy. Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca

Introduction to gifted testing, for parents AND teachers

Parent's Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education by David Palmer or Kindle edition

Great introduction to IQ testing and gifted children.  Answers your questions, from Why test? to What do the scores mean? and What about scores of twice exceptional children?  Every parent entering the gifted education world should read this book.  Read An Interview with David Palmer: About I.Q. And Parents Understanding of Intelligence

Overview of the state of gifted education

Genius Denied: How to Stop Wasting Our Brightest Young Minds by Jan and Bob Davidson, with Laura Vanderkam

The Davidsons offer an absorbing look at how our nation is neglecting children of exceptional intelligence. They make a compelling case for re-approaching giftedness as a potential disability (to give more attention to gifted kids) and an even stronger argument for parents, teachers and citizens to consider the potential loss to American society in the costliest imaginable terms.  For excerpts and review, visit Genius Denied.  Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca

Comprehensive texts for gifted educators...

Academic Acceleration of Gifted Children edited by Southern and Jones

A comprehensive textbook on acceleration, with chapters on early acceptance to kindergarten or to college, affective development of acceleration of gifted students, identification of good candidates.  Also available from Amazon.co.uk
 

Being Gifted in School: An Introduction to Development, Guidance, And Teaching by Laurence J. Coleman & Tracy L. Cross

For educators, includes definitions and models of giftedness; identification of the gifted; teaching methods and best practices; creativity; counseling and guidance; administrative arrangements; and program prototypes and evaluation... (or from Amazon)
 

Handbook of Gifted Education by Nicholas Colangelo and Gary A. Davis, editors

This book is a must-have for teachers, administrators and parents of the gifted. The diversity of articles includes all the hot topics of gifted education written by some of the best known experts in the field. This book is especially good for the serious reader who has some background in gifted.  Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca
 

Programs and Services for Secondary Gifted Students: A Guide to Recommended Practices by Felicia A. Dixon (or from Amazon)

A reference for service and program options for practitioners, administrators, and coordinators; a companion to the more in-depth The Handbook of Secondary Gifted Education (or from Amazon).  Part I: the gifted adolescent's cognitive social and emotional dimensions, including suggestions for academic, personal/social, and career exploration best practices; Part II: programmatic offerings such as AP and IB, distance learning, magnet and other special schools, study abroad, and early entrance to college options; Part III: a view of optimal future directions—taking into account obstacles to change in today’s high schools...

Great resources for counselors and psychologists...

Counseling Gifted and Talented Children: A Guide for Teachers, Counselors, and Parents by Roberta M. Milgram

Gives counselors, classroom teachers, gifted education specialists, and parents an understanding of the academic and social-personal needs of gifted and talented students, awareness of ways that they themselves may help these children, and an introduction to the available guidance strategies and materials... Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca
 

Counseling the Gifted and Talented by Linda Kreger Silverman

A great resource for understanding the many and complex needs of gifted children... Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca
 

Education and Curriculum...

Teaching Gifted Kids in Today's Classroom: Strategies and Techniques Every Teacher Can Use by Susan Winebrenner

Updated third edition for a new generation of teachers and classrooms. An excellent guide to modifying curriculum for gifted elementary and middle school students in the regular classroom
 

The Cluster Grouping Handbook: How to Challenge Gifted Students and Improve Achievement for All by Susan Winebrenner and Dina Brulles

In today’s standards-driven era, how can teachers motivate and challenge gifted learners and ensure that all students reach their potential? This book provides a compelling answer: the Schoolwide Cluster Grouping Model (SCGM).  Find a wealth of teacher-tested classroom strategies along with detailed information on identifying students for clusters, gaining support from parents, and providing ongoing professional development. Special attention toward empowering gifted English language learners. CD-ROM features all of the reproducible forms plus a PowerPoint presentation...
 

Content Based Curriculum for High Ability Learners by Joyce VanTassel-Baska and Catherine Little

Written by recognized gifted curriculum leader VanTassel-Baska and her associates at the Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary, this award-winning service publication of the National Association for Gifted Children illustrates award-winning curriculum units in language arts, social studies and science...  Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca
 

The Handbook of Secondary Gifted Education by Felicia A. Dixon and Sidney Moon (or from Amazon)

An in-depth, research-based look at ways schools and classrooms can support the development of gifted adolescents.  Each chapter is written by leading scholars and researchers in the field, including Nicholas Colangelo, Susan Assouline, Sally Reis, Donna Ford, Joyce VanTassel-Baska, Carolyn Callahan, more...

Strategies for Differentiating Instruction: best practices for the classroom by Julia L. Roberts & Tracy F. Inman (or from Amazon)

Most comprehensive and most practical text on the theory and practical considerations involved in helping gifted students excel... 

Exceptionally or profoundly gifted children?  Read this book!

Exceptionally Gifted Children by Miraca Gross

If you have an exceptionally gifted child, Read This Book! A fascinating study of a small group of exceptionally gifted (IQ>160) children, Gross follows these children over 20 years, and includes extensive details about their interests, family background, progress through school, and social and emotional as well as academic status. Gross shows that when these children are not allowed to learn at an appropriate pace and level it places them at serious risk.  Also available from from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca

Grade acceleration: should we, or shouldn't we?

Iowa Acceleration Scale Manual; A Guide for Whole-Grade Acceleration (Amazon or Barnes & Noble) by Susan G. Assouline, Nicholas Colangelo, Ann Lupkowski-Shoplik, Jonathan Lipscomb, Leslie Forstadt

For schools or parents, the Iowa Acceleration Scale provides a systematic and thorough approach to considering and implementing academic acceleration for gifted and talented students in grades K-8; read Hoagies' detailed review.  Also available from Amazon.co.uk or
 

Free and priceless - everyone should have and read!
A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America’s Brightest Students The Templeton National Report on Acceleration

Acceleration is a powerful educational ally, but it’s a strategy that requires participation of parents as well as sensitivity to individual needs and circumstances. For that reason, this report is designed not only to persuade readers of the value of acceleration, but also to help schools administer acceleration programs effectively... Now available in 8 languages! Click for Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. (requires ^{Adobe Reader})  Also read the National Association of Gifted Children (NAGC) reply Acceleration in Schools: A Call to Action

Gifted and minority...

Bright, Talented, and Black: A Guide for Families of African American Gifted Learners by Joy Lawson Davis

What does it really mean to be gifted and African American in the U.S. today? What do parents and teachers of gifted black students need to know to help students explore their potential, thrive in school and life. Easy to read, full of great insight for every reader, regardless of race...

The social / emotional aspects of gifted children

Living With Intensity: Understanding the Sensitivity, Excitability, and the Emotional Development of Gifted Children, Adolescents, and Adults by Susan Daniels & Michael M. Piechowski

Do you know an intense gifted child?  You must read this book!  An easy-to-read volume for parents, teachers, psychologists, everyone dealing with the gifted child, that explains the inexplicable, and guides us all in guiding the growth and development of our gifted children...
 

Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students: Helping Kids Cope With Explosive Feelings Christine Fonseca (or from Amazon)

Easy-to-read, using real-world examples through case studies and role-plays that show parents and teachers how to interact with gifted children in a way that teaches them how to recognize, monitor, and adjust their behavior. Worksheets, tip sheets, and checklists are included to help parents, teachers, and the students themselves learn to cope with the explosive feelings that often accompany giftedness. Specific strategies for stress management, underperformance in school, perfectionism, and social anxiety make this a must-read for anyone wishing to make a positive lasting impact on the lives of gifted children...
 

On the Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Children by Tracy Cross (or from Amazon)

Fourth edition of  Tracy Cross' classic research and observations... what we know, and what we don't know about the social and emotional issues facing gifted children
 

Talk with Teens About What Matters to Them: Ready-to-Use Discussions on Stress, Identity, Feelings, Relationships, Family, and the Future by Jean Sunde Peterson

All young people need a safe, supportive place to “just talk” with caring peers and an attentive adult. Talk with Teens has been tested with thousands of teens in many kinds of schools, community centers, churches, and workshops. Its guided discussions are proven ways to reach out to young people and address their social and emotional needs. Teens gain self-awareness and self-esteem, practice problem-solving and goal-setting, feel more in control of their lives, and learn that they have much in common with one another—they are not alone.

Elementary and middle school math enrichment, extraordinaire!

Language arts is key, here's the key to excellent L.A. instruction!

Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts Curriculum by Michael Clay Thompson, from Royal Fireworks Press

I don't know how to explain Michael Clay Thompson's curriculum, except to say... gifted students, no matter where their gifts lie, need this curriculum.  I had the honor of hearing Michael speak about his Grammar Voyage and The Magic Lens grammar curricula and Practice Sentence student workbook series... and I was enthralled.  Please know, I am a math-y and a computer geek - I do not do language arts, if I can help it.  But this curriculum made grammar interesting to me!  Word Within The Word offers middle and secondary level, vocabulary-building curriculum that is like no other.  Sentence Island, Paragraph Town and Essay Voyage form the elementary writing curriculum.  And there's much more... investigate all the Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts Curriculum  For videos of Michael Clay Thompson's presentations, and to see why this math-geek is so excited by his curriculum, view Michael Clay Thompson Videos. And read Cathy Duffy reviews... Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts

Every parent and teacher of readers should have this book... that's all of us!

Some of My Best Friends Are Books: Guiding Gifted Readers from Preschool to High School by Judith Wynn Halsted

Roeper Review says "...should be on the shelf of every school library, whether that school offers gifted programming or not."  Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca

Parents and gifted adolescents, these are must-read!

Smart Teens' Guide to Living with Intensity: How to Get More Out of Life and Learning by Lisa Rivero

A guide for pre-teens and teens who are a little more... more intense, more creative, more interesting, and yes, sometimes even called "more difficult."  A teen's perspective into growing up as a gifted teen today.  And the guidebook for the parents, A Parent's Guide to Gifted Teens: Living with Intense and Creative Adolescents

Guides for the kids, elementary school, middle school and teen

101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids: The Ultimate Handbook by Christine Fonseca (or from Amazon)

A must-read for gifted kids ages 8 to 12 who want to find success in school and life. If you know gifted kids, they will love the 101 awesome secrets, tips, and tricks included in this book!
 

The Gifted Kids' Survival Guide (For Ages 10 and Under) by Judy Galbraith Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca

 

The Gifted Teen Survival Guide: Smart, Sharp, and Ready for (Almost) Anything by Judy Galbraith and Jim Delisle (or from Barnes & Noble)

Updated 4th version is better than ever, keeping the best themes from the older versions but in a readable new format, and including lots of new stuff, too.  The ultimate guide for teens includes "discover virtual learning, find a cure for the common college, learn the value of mistakes, manage expectations and embrace your passions!"

 

For those families who are (or will ever consider) homeschooling their gifted children... and teachers will gain a great deal from this book, too!

Creative Home Schooling: A Resource Guide for Smart Families by Lisa Rivero

This terrific book is for homeschooling parents and more - there is information for schooling parents, school teachers, gifted teachers, and more, on gifted children, learning styles, internet resources, and so much more!

For gifted adults: Many of us discover our own giftedness during our struggles raising and educating our gifted kids...

Gifted Grownups: The Mixed Blessings of Extraordinary Potential by Marylou Kelly Streznewski

Examine old and new research on the nature of intelligence and other gifts and explore ways gifted people hide their talents; includes interviews with a highly diverse collection of 100 gifted adults. An excellent book for every gifted adult, or adult with gifted children... Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca

When you need a laugh...

Raisin' Brains by Karen L.J. Isaacson

A humorous look inside the home of 5 very gifted children... from the mom's point of view.  Prepare to have your funny bone thoroughly tickled!

Thorough introduction to twice exceptional gifted children, plus extra on Asperger's and more...  Parents should have at least one of these; schools should have all three!

Misdiagnosis And Dual Diagnoses Of Gifted Children And Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger's, Depression, And Other Disorders by James T. Webb, Edward R. Amend, Nadia E. Webb, Jean Goerss, Paul Beljan, F. Richard Olenchak, and Sharon Lind

Physicians, psychologist, and counselors are unaware of characteristics of gifted children and adults that mimic pathological diagnoses. Six nationally prominent health care professionals describe ways parents and professionals can distinguish between gifted behaviors and pathological behaviors...  Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca
 

The Mislabeled Child: How Understanding Your Child's Unique Learning Style Can Open the Door to Success by Brock Eide and Fernette Eide

Misapplied labels can be devastating; properly diagnosed labels can change a child's life.  The Eides can help professionals and parents alike, to find the proper labels, as well as learning tools, exercises, and therapies that help children with similar labels.  Each chapter covers a unique learning challenge: Visual Problems, Attention Problems, Autism and Autism-like Disorders, and more...
 

Different Minds: Gifted Children With AD/HD, Asperger Syndrome, and other Learning Deficits by Deirdre V. Lovecky

Recognizing the different levels and kinds of giftedness, Lovecky provides insight into the challenges and benefits specific to gifted children with various learning difficulties.  Guides parents and professionals through diagnosis and advises on how best to nurture individual needs, positive behavior and relationships at home and at school...  Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca

For gifted kids with specific LDs...

Asperger's: What Does It Mean to Me? by Catherine Faherty

The book most requested by parents and teachers. Written by a leading therapist, this workbook is a must-have for the person with high functioning autism or Asperger's Syndrome. Includes chapters to help explain their world.  Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca
 

Developing Talents: Careers for Individuals with Asperger Syndrome and High-Functioning Autism by Temple Grandin and Kate Duffy

Society loses out if individuals with autism spectrum disorders are not involved in the world of work, or make other kinds of contributions to society.  This book takes readers -- those on the autism spectrum and their family members, teachers, counselors -- through the career planning process...  Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca
 

In the Mind's Eye: Visual Thinkers, Gifted People With Dyslexia and Other Learning Difficulties, Computer Images and the Ironies of Creativity by Thomas G. West

This book has strong implications for anyone who has ever considered autism, dyslexia, or learning difficulties to be horrible things that must be stamped out. It shows that the apparent "weakness" and "lack of ability" in some areas can really be an aspect of a major (but often unrecognized) area of strength...  Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca
 

The Out-Of-Sync Child: Recognizing and Coping With Sensory Integration Dysfunction by Carol Stock Kranowitz

Do you know a child who plays too rough, is uncoordinated, hates being touched, is ultra-sensitive (or unusually insensitive) to noise or sensations of heat and cold?  Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca
 

Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

If you have an exceptionally spirited child, this book is written for you.  Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca
Now Also available Raising Your Spirited Child Workbook.  Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca
 

When the Brain Can't Hear: Unraveling the Mystery of Auditory Processing Disorder by Teri James Bellis

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) occurs when the brain cannot process or understand correctly the sounds the ears hear, even though the ears might be functioning properly. It is rarely recognized, often misdiagnosed, and poorly understood, yet the effects can be devastating...  Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca

What next?

College is Yours in 600 Words or Less: The Roeper School College Handbook by Patrick O'Connor

A quick but complete guide that leads you through the maze of college selection with the simple, revolutionary idea that students already have great lives-- what they now need is a college where they can live that great life, and learn more about themselves and the world...
 

College Planning for Gifted Students: Choosing And Getting into the Right College by Sandra L. Berger

Everything you need to know and do, starting in 7th and stepping right through 12th grade, to plan for college for your gifted student.  Why don't the school counselors tell us this?!  Timelines, checklists, and more
 

Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges by Loren Pope

Thinking about college? Looking for the 'right' college for yourself, or your child? This book is for you! Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca
 

Cool Colleges: For the Hyper-Intelligent, Self-Directed, Late Blooming, and Just Plain Different by Donald Asher

Thinking about college? Looking for the 'right' college for yourself, or your child? This book is for you!  Also available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.ca

 

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Last updated December 01, 2020