The Gifted Kids Survival Guide: A Teen Handbook [Paperback]

Judy Galbraith (Author), Jim Delisle (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 11 and up | Series: Dream It! Do It!

Written with help from hundreds of gifted teenagers, this handbook is the ultimate guide to surviving and thriving in a world that doesn’t always value, support, or understand high ability.

Full of surprising facts, step-by-step strategies, practical how-tos, and inspiring quotations, featuring insightful essays contributed by gifted teens and adults, the book gives readers the tools they need to understand giftedness, accept it as an asset, and use it to make the most of who they are.

Teens learn the facts about giftedness, including:

• what “giftedness” means (and doesn’t mean)
• the truth about IQ, tests, and testing (and four reasons why tests can’t be trusted)
• how to take charge of their lives (including expectations, perfectionism, multipotential, mistakes, goal setting, time management, assertiveness, gender issues, ethnic issues, and stress)
• how to take charge of their education (knowing their rights as students, exploring their options, changing the system, choosing a college, and alternatives to college)
• how to find friends who are right for them
• how to talk to parents
• how to be “net-smart” and have safe, fun online relationships
• information about teen suicide—and how to intervene with a troubled friend
• a wealth of additional resources including books, publications, associations, programs, and Web sites
• and much more –

The Gifted Kids’ Survival Guide: A Teen Handbook is a must for gifted teens, their parents, teachers, counselors, and anyone who cares about smart, creative, curious kids.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up. Some things get better and better, and this well-designed revision of a 1987 title is one sterling example. Aimed at secondary students, the book is so well done and so useful in terms of the explanations, answers, resources, and insights it provides that parents and teachers will also find it to be a fascinating and valuable resource. Discussions include definitions of giftedness; IQ tests and testing; perfectionism; self-assertion in educational surroundings; goal setting; relationships with parents, teachers, and peers; general concerns of adolescence; gender and ethnic considerations of giftedness; choosing a college; teen suicide, especially among gifted and talented students; and a host of other issues. The revisions are based in large part on the thousands of responses the authors received from a questionnaire administered to gifted students both in the U.S. and abroad, and one of the strongest features is the many "Gifted People Speak Out" reports found throughout. These personal testimonies add enormous credibility to the project. Gifted Kids tackles head-on the mystery and confusion that often surround the use of the word "gifted." Historical context and evolving, even contradictory, definitions of giftedness are explained in an expository style that is fresh and appealing. The abundant self-check quizzes make the book refreshingly interactive. The text is topped off with a useful list of additional resources, including web sites. A superior resource that provides so many fine ideas and fresh insights that it clearly has the potential to transform lives.?Jerry D. Flack, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“A superior resource that provides so many fine ideas and fresh insights that it clearly has the potential to transform lives.”—School Library Journal                                                                            

“An amazing resource.”—Voice of Youth Advocates

 “Helps adults become more respectful of the knowledge and abilities that young people have.”—Youthworker

 “Filled with information that answers students’ questions about being gifted and provides strategies for them to make their education and their lives more fulfilling.”—California Association for the Gifted

Read, America! Selection

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing; Rev, Expanded & Updated edition (October 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575420031
• ISBN-13: 978-1575420035
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #260,212 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Robert's Mom, October 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gifted Kids Survival Guide: A Teen Handbook (Paperback)

My son was thrilled to receive this book. He immediately began to see himself described in every chapter. He has always felt different and out of sync with his peers. This book helped him to understand himself and feel good about his "gift".

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book, July 11, 2001

By 

Erika Sorocco (Southern California, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Gifted Kids Survival Guide: A Teen Handbook (Paperback)

This was truly an excellent book for any teen who is gifted. I've been gifted since I was very young and I've never fit in with any of the other kids. I've always been much more mature and on a much higher level than the rest of the kids my age. This book showed me that I should be proud about being gifted, and shouldn't worry about fitting in. This is a must read for any gifted teen.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening, November 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Gifted Kids Survival Guide: A Teen Handbook (Paperback)

This book makes you feel good about being "gifted" - you know you aren't the only one around in that situation. A lot of nice examples, and it's very uplifting. Too bad it couldn't cover overseas examples though.