Books: Giftedness
Accidental Genius
Kevin and Cassidy Kearney, Woodshed Press, 1998
In 1994, Michael Kearney was the world's youngest college graduate, at age 10. At age 12, he began work on his Master's Degree in biology. This is the story of a family with two brilliant children--one of them comparatively neglected, and the other allowed to dictate how the family functioned. Lots of good advice here, but also a clear illustration of the lack of educational support for the highly gifted. Parents have to find their way along an unmarked path.
Different Minds: gifted children with AD/HD, Asperger Syndrome, and other learning deficits
Deirdre V. Lovecky, Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2004
Excellent guide to the problems, often hidden, that can affect the gifted child's ability to learn. One-stop reference for understanding topics like memory, learning styles, emotional issues raised by learning deficits, and much more. Covering so much ground does lead to some over-generalizations and near-stereotypes, as in the discussion of Asperger's.
Exceptionally Gifted Children
Miraca Gross, 2nd edition, RoutledgeFalmer, 2004
The most thorough and authoritative study of highly gifted children has been updated with the addition of new subjects and a followup on the original subjects. Indispensable for anyone wanting to understand the abilities and interests of such children and how they are or aren't served by the educational system.
High IQ Kids
Kiesa Kay, Deborah Tobson, Judy F. Brennan, Free Spirit Publishing, 2007
"Collected insights, information, and personal stories from the experts." For once, the experts aren't all Ph.Ds in labs. A wide variety of perspectives: teachers, counselors, parents, and gifted ex-children. Excellent reading, and a good book to browse through in any order.
Gifted Children: myths and realities
Ellen Winner, Basic Books, 1996
Winner's book stands out as one of the better explanations of giftedness as well as being the only one that debunks a good many misunderstandings about giftedness and gifted children. An excellent place to start for an all-round view of giftedness
Guiding the Gifted Child: a practical source for parents and teachers
James T. Webb, Elizabeth Meckstroth, Stephanie Tolan, Ohio Psychology Publishing Co., 1984
This introduction to giftedness has gone through many editions. Covers a lot of territory without any frills. Very basic but useful.
Hothouse Kids: the dilemma of the gifted child
Alissa Quart, Penguin Press, 2006
A controversial exploration of enrichment, acceleration, pushy parents, and the "smart baby" industry that preys on the parents' ambitions for their children. See my post--mostly thoughts prompted by the book rather than a review: Fashionably Gifted.
Losing Our Minds: gifted children left behind
Deborah L. Ruff, Great Potential Press, 2005
Very detailed examination of the levels of giftedness and what they mean for children's learning and development. Maybe more detail than some readers might care for, but it's leavened by Ruff's insights, and by stories of the real children involved in her study.
Nature's Gambit: child prodigies and the development of human potential
David Henry Feldman, Basic Books, 1986
The first modern study of prodigies. A close look at the lives of several prodigies. A worthwhile read, but not too useful as a guide. It's marred by the very small sample of subjects, and by Feldman's theories about prodigality, which his study disproved rather than proved.
Upside-Down Brilliance: the visual-spatial learner
Linda K. Silverman, DeLeon Publishing, 2002
A thorough introduction to Silverman's visual-spatial theory and its uses in education. Emphasis is on children and schooling, but doesn't neglect adults. A good first step toward understanding how the gifted mind works.
Whatever Happened to the Quiz Kids: perils and profits of growing up gifted
Ruth Duskin Feldman, Chicago Review Press, 1982
Ruth Feldman was one of the kids on the popular program of the 1940s and early 50s. Years later, she interviewed as many of the original Quiz Kids as she could locate and asked them how the fame and expectations affected their lives. Fascinating stories, plus a final chapter: Reflections on Growing Up Gifted.