Exceptionally Gifted Children

Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary Children, Exceptional Book
Review: For many parents, teachers, and school admnistrators who need to understand exceptionally and profoundly gifted children, this book is the one that finally makes the world and the educational and emotional needs of these children comprehensible. It is the first book recommended to newcomers in the online support groups for parents of "EG" and "PG" children. It is scavenged from 2nd hand sales, hoarded, and loaned with care. The publisher's remainders were sold out [within] 48 hours of a notice posted to one email list.

It is easy to see why. Miraca Gross brings her subjects alive with her even-handed and clear-sighted case studies. The narratives illustrate the lack of comprehension frequently encountered in schools when children are functioning 4 to 8 grade levels ahead of their "peers" intellectually, and the stress and outright cruelty often inflicted on these children and their parents as a result. It also documents the almost immediate elimination of these problems when appropriate educational settings are found.

The book was a continuation of Gross's doctoral research, and it shows it's origin in the data analyses. These sections aren't for everyone, but they are quite helpful for those with a research or education background and interest. Others can skip directly to the summaries. But for both groups, the case studies are what make the book.

If you have one of these remarkable kids, I recommend that order a used copy from Amazon and keep your eyes peeled for it elsewhere...

Rating:
Summary: Exceptionally Good Book
Review: I have used this book repeatedly to help educate teachers, administrators, mental health personnel, and parents to the needs of highly and profoundly gifted children. Dr. Gross packs terrific information into a lengthy *and* very readable book.

Rating:
Summary: The best resource to educate people about these kids.
Review: It wasn't until I read this book that I felt I was reading a description of my son in the gifted literature. It made clear to me why he was having so many problems in school and gave me the courage to work for an appropriate education, instead of relying on "experts". I use this book over and over again to educate teachers, school board members, and policymakers about what these kids are like and why the current educational system does not meet their needs. I have given several copies to critical decision-makers. It has made a difference!

Rating:
Summary: Read This Book If You Have a Gifted Child
Review: Miraca Gross has brought us an amazing gift: she continued her original 10-year longitudinal study of exceptionally gifted children, and brought us up-to-date another ten years later. Following the pain and successes of these unusual young people over the course of 20 years gives the reader tremendous vistas from which to gain perspective of the way society treats the highly gifted...and what that does to them.

If you already think your child is gifted, but she or he isn't "fitting in" you just might have an exceptionally gifted child. Since the intellectual level of these children is high, even compared to other gifted kids, parents don't generally have any true means of comparison. They often have never met any other kids like theirs.

Instead of guessing, read this book. You will know--quickly--if you see your kid there. This is NOT a book about "perfect," high-flying, academic achievers. To the contrary: it is a painful examination of how enforced academic underachievement has hurt these kids, and how appropriate intellectual challenge (when they could get it) helped them feel comfortable in their skins.

Read this book if you think your child is gifted. Read this book if you "just knew" there was something special about your child when they were little, but they've never fit in school. Read this book if you work with or care for the gifted.

Rating:
Summary: Finally, research on educating these wonderful kids!
Review: My child is very bright. Why does he have so much trouble in school? Exceptionally Gifted Children details the research of Ms. Gross into the world of these children. Through her eyes, get to know more than a dozen highly gifted children and their families, and follow their failures and successes in the education system. Although the venue is Australia, this book could just as well have been written about education in America. It's a 'must read' for parents and educators of exceptionally gifted children around the world

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended for anyone interested in gifted children
Review: This book is a fascinating study of a small group of exceptionally gifted (IQ>160) children in New South Wales, Australia. Gross follows these children over several years, and includes extensive details about their interests, family background, progress through school, and social and emotional as well as academic status. She shows that when these children are not allowed to learn at an appropriate pace and level it places them at serious risk. It is interesting even for those who do not live with such children.