Whatever Happened to the Quiz Kids? Perils and Profits of Growing Up Gifted

Several years ago, I used this book in a study of gifted children. It was a fascinating look at the lives of child prodigies. But I'm sure that many will identify with the statement made by one man who was asked about what became of the Quiz Kids: " I hope they all turned out to be garbage collectors!" It would be a tragic waste if that man had gotten his wish. But that is a realistic summary of the the feelings that many people have towards child prodigies. The photos of Ruth Duskin Feldman as a child reminded me of an overacheiving girl I once knew, and any body who has ever suffered the childhood indignity of verbal comparisons between themselves and someone who was considered more brilliant might not wish such children very well. Of course, they didn't all turn out to be garbage collectors, and they can count a Nobel Prize Winner (James D. Watson) among them, as well as an actress (the late Vanessa Brown), a Jesuit Priest (Jack Lucal), and actor and dialect coach (Bob Easton), and a producer (Harve Bennett) among their ranks. On the the other hand there was the early death of one of the most promising Quiz Kids, Gerard Darrow, for whom certain social and academic needs could never really be met. As is the case with many child celebrities, some of these Quiz Kids feel that their parents exploited them. As a Jew, Feldman discusses the bias against her and other Quiz Kids of the same faith. The story of how the non-Jewish Quiz Kids were sent to shake hands with the anti-semitic Henry Ford during a visit before she and the others could, in order to curry favor with the famed auto maker, was quite an attention-getter. Duskin also sheds light on the sexism of the time, stating that girls often had to allow themselves to be deferential to boys on issues in order to continue to appear "feminine".One girl even advised her not to appear too brilliant if she wanted to get dates.Thank Heaven times have changed! What Ruth Duskin has ultimately given us is a longitudinal study of gifted children that is sincerely told. No one could accuse her of being too arrogant about her prodigiousness, especially when she discusses the rejection she suffered. Incidentally, I myself did very well on the report in which I used this book, and would highly recommend it to others. It's a fascinating study.