Losing our minds : gifted children left behind /

Far too often, authors write about gifted children as though they were a homogeneous population and then describe only the most dramatically gifted, who are far from representative of the group. Emphasizing the rare, profoundly gifted misleads parents into thinking that if their children are not like that, they must not be gifted after all. This valuable little book introduces parents (and teachers as well as other professionals who come into contact with bright children) to a differentiated view of intellectual/academic giftedness, its manifestations, and the students' educational and social-emotional needs. The five levels the author describes range from children with intellectual abilities barely into the top 10 percent to those one meets just a few times in a lifetime. Using primarily parental descriptions of 78 children in 50 families, from birth to high school, Ruf describes the children's behavior, multiple options for their optimal education (and the rarity with which these options are provided by schools), and issues of parenting and supporting them. While one could quibble over details, this is an exceptionally valuable perspective for all those living and working with gifted children. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. General readers; upper-division undergraduates and above. N. M. Robinson emerita, University of Washington

If little Johnny was reading as soon as he came out of the womb, you'll want to read this helpful guide to raising and educating gifted children. How do you even know if your child is gifted? According to Ruf, an educational consultant and experienced teacher, an early use of complex sentences and a sharp spatial memory are among the indicators. This book will help moms and dads advocate for their gifted kids in schools, as well as helping them to parent their gifted child correctly. Ruf is practical and detailed, addressing questions ranging from homework (gifted kids often don't need to do 85 math problems to understand basic algebra, so they usually wind up with poor study habits that plague them later in life) to boredom. She is also sensitive to the emotional challenges of being gifted and parenting gifted kids. Both children and their parents may feel lonely, she says. Other mothers may see Johnny's mom as pushy or stuck-up. Still, not all gifted children are the same. Ruf sketches five levels of intellectual giftedness, ranging from "profoundly gifted" (future Einstein) to "moderately gifted" (the kids who will be in the top quarter of a normal school class). Ruf researched 50 families with gifted children--a total of 78 kids in all--and her book is enlivened with stories about these kids' different gifts, struggles and learning styles. An invaluable guide for teachers, school administrators and parents. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.