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 SpringsCopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Midwest Book Review
Written with help from hundreds of gifted teenagers, The Gifted Kids' Survival Guide 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, and practical how-tos, and inspiring quotations, featuring insightful essays contributed by gifted young people and adults, The Gifted Kids' Survival Guide gives the gifted young reader the tools needed to understand their giftedness, accept it as an asset, and use it to make the most of who and what they are. Of special value is the section on dealing with a troubled gifted youngster contemplating suicide, how to be "net smart" and have safe, fun online relations, and how to handle teen angst. Incidentally, The Gifted Kids' Survival Guide is also very valuable reading for the parents, teachers, and counselors of gifted kids as well!


Card catalog description
Examines issues that are of concern for young people who have been labeled "gifted," discussing what the label means, intelligence testing, educational options, and relationships with parents and friends. Includes first-person essays on being gifted.

ANNOTATION

Examines issues that are of concern for young people who have been labeled "gifted," discussing what the label means, intelligence testing, educational options, and relationships with parents and friends. Includes first-person essays on being gifted.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Vital information on giftedness, IQ, school success, college planning, stress, perfectionism, and much more.

FROM THE CRITICS

VOYA - Cynthia L. Blinn

Galbraith and Delisle have compiled an amazing resource, wherein gifted and talented persons will recognize and better understand themselves. Adolescence is rough (duh), being labeled gifted compounds the torment. The authors write, "[W]e wish this book wasn't necessary...if our culture genuinely valued giftedness and every[one] was encouraged to reach [their] potential...[s]chools would teach all students in the ways they learn best." Insightful and humorous, the book offers guidance for coping and growth and provides a wealth of information for gifted kids, their parents, and their teachers. Beyond the expected discussions of giftedness, intelligence, and IQ tests, this book empowers youth to take control of their lives and educations. Kids are encouraged to explore their worlds, creating and maintaining options for their futures. A section on perfectionism versus pursuing excellence promotes the latter and discusses "the value of mistakes." Interpersonal skills are addressed, including tips to diplomatic interactions with teachers, administrators, parents, and peers. Inspirational marginalia, abundant student quotations, and "gifted people speak out" essays enhance the text. The user-friendly layout makes this comprehensive resource readily accessible. Once discovered by gifted kids, the book will circulate. Urge teachers, counselors, and parents to read it. I will use it in inclusionary classrooms; I wish I had found it as an adolescent. Index. Illus. Source Notes. Further Reading.

School Library Journal