The Gifted Kids' Survival Guide

***This review is of the 1984 edition. ISBN 0-915793-00-8. Apparently, the book has been updated and republished many times.*** I've been doing some reading on giftedness lately, since I realized there are materials out there now that didn't exist when I was growing up. I am completely delighted with this book. It directly addresses both childhood experiences and issues gifted people continue to face as adults because, frankly, they're the same issues. The list of reasons gifted kids get bored and frustrated in school reads like a litany of the reasons most adults are frustrated with work. It's sad that we push gifted children to do everything they can to change and improve (and in a lot of cases, we step in to change it for them) the status quo in school settings, so they will not be stifled, repressed or dumbed down from a lack of freedom to Live Up To Their Full Potential, yet we expect intelligent, educated adults (not to mention gifted ones) to malinger all day long in cublicles / behind cash registers / in pointless meetings / etc., doing repetitive tasks ad nauseum, stripped of the autonomy to fully use their gifts or to make contextual decisions about how they would like to do so. Adults, for some reason, are expected to accept that there will be retribution for having higher ethical and moral standards than the rest of their coworkers or for consistently contributing to people 'above them' in hierarchical chains ideas of better, more efficient ways to work. They're expected, if not forced, to hide their smarts and other gifts to stay employed. That's got to change. Doesn't make much sense to raise and educate humans one way and then expect them to be entirely different as adults just for the sake of 'earning money', does it? This book is a very simple and direct reminder of that, and an affirmation of the common sense explanations of why it is so. It's also interesting to note that the teasing experienced in school is no different from what goes on in the workplace or adult life in general. This book is like a smart, sane, honest peer encouraging you to stick up for your rights - and, yes, people of all ages do have a right to be different and to work and live at their own level instead of following the least common denominator. 'Corporate culture' be damned. Gifted people exist to lead humanity forward, not to be bullied into conforming to the stupidities of the day. What would this country and this world be like if people were allowed to live up to their full potential *on a daily basis*? The book is also a boost to the spirits with cute illustrations and room for adding to the text, coloring, drawing, whatever. I checked this one out of the public library. I'd have loved to buy multiple copies, for myself and others. I think the gifted people I know - of all ages - would enjoy and find unexpected value in receiving this book as a gift. However, this is not the current edition available in print and I have not read the newest

When I ordered this book, my son took it with him where every we went. He read it and wrote in it for two days until he was finished. I'm glad I purchased this book, because I didn't know as much as I thought before I read it.

I read this book when I was much younger and it is great. All kids, under 10, will love this book. It will make them understand easily that being gifted isn't a bad thing, but something that makes you special, and isn't something to be ashamed of. This is a must read for any gifted child under the age of 10.

This book is terrific. I read a lot of it aloud to my 5 year-old and he appreciated the explanations and suggestions. I think this book has a lot of really practical suggestions for parents and kids. It also empowers kids to learn how to enjoy their gifts. I would highly recommend this book.

The Gifted Kid's Survival Guide is a great book for gifted children, like myself, who need to know and learn how to cope with their extraordinary minds. It helps children learn that they great because of their giftedness. This book was especially good because it gave me self-confidence and hope.