The following is not an exhaustive list. Rather, it is a starting point for anyone who wants to study giftedness and gifted people. Even if you directly consult with a specialist, you will find the following books and journals helpful. In each case I am listing enough information for you to order, buy, or find the resource in the library. - D. L. Ruf
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Dr. Ruf's Book
5 Levels of Gifted: School Issues and Educational Options (2005) (formerly titled Losing Our Minds: Gifted Children Left Behind). 5 Levels of Gifted, published by Great Potential Press, combines four years of data gathering from 50 families with nearly 30 years of research and experience in the field of giftedness, individual differences, and high intelligence. The book is aimed primarily at parents and vividly describes the upper 10 to 15 percent of the intellectual continuum in human beings from birth to adulthood as manifested in their behaviors, thoughts, accomplishments, and test scores. She introduces the concept of Levels of Giftedness and makes it very clear how many factors contribute to a person's intellectual levels and achievement.
Learn more, buy now, or order from Great Potential Press.
Other Books
The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American Life by Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray. The authors use data and research from the previous hundred or more years to detail what intellectual ability is, where it comes from, how mutable it is or is not, and how intellectual level affects a person’s potential outcomes. Fascinating and informative.
Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain, by Trevor Romain. Millions of children deal with bullies every day. The author offers this book as self-help for kids, with cartoons offering clear and helpful advice. The format makes for a good guide for a parent to read with their child because it provokes good discussion.
Children: The Challenge: The Classic Work on Improving Parent-Child Relations--Intelligent, Humane # Eminently Practical (Plume), by Rudolf Dreikurs and Vicki Soltz. One of the books Dr. Ruf frequently recommends to parents, now reprinted and available.
Cradles of Eminence: Childhoods of More than 700 Famous Men and Women (2nd Edition) updated by Ted George Goertzel and Ariel M. W. Hansen. Several truisms that the book reveals are that most subjects strongly disliked school but had families who valued education, most had highly opinionated parents often with a domineering mother, and most grew up “feeling different” from others. Their findings suggest that the assumptions we make about childhood environments require a close and hard look
Creative Homeschooling for Gifted Children: A Resource Guide for Smart Families, by Lisa Rivero. This terrific book is for homeschooling parents and more - there is information for schooling parents, schoolteachers, gifted teachers, and additional information on gifted children, learning styles, and Internet resources. Whether you home school full-time or merely want to set up some good units for partial home schooling (on or off the school’s campus), this book as invaluable.
Creativity in Science: Chance, Logic, Genius, and Zeitgeist, by Dean Keith Simonton. Dean Simonton provides an answer to the question, “Where do major scientific breakthroughs come from,” by unifying the four perspectives of chance, logic, genius and zeitgeist. In his explanation, chance plays the primary role, but with the significant involvement of the other three. Dr. Ruf highly recommends Simonton’s works because he draws from examples of real people, real geniuses. Although interesting to smart readers of all ages, gifted Dads of gifted kids really enjoy Simonton’s work.
Crossover Children: A Sourcebook for Helping Children Who Are Gifted and Learning Disabled, by Marlene Bireley. (2nd edition, 1995). The Council for Exceptional Children, Reston, VA. This very readable “how to do it” book for parents, regular classroom teachers, teachers of learning disabled/gifted and talented students, school psychologists, counselors and administrators provides guidelines for a better education and therefore better opportunities for this group of children. This is a rich resource that provides specific strategies, recommendations for academic interventions and enrichment activities to help these children (who may also be ADD) to control impulsivity, increase attention, enhance memory, improve social skills, and develop a positive self-concept. Sections of the book deal with educational planning and programming for gifted/learning disabled children, behavior and social interventions, academic intervention, academic enrichment, and some things to consider as crossover children grow up. The author has more than 35 years of experience as a teacher, psychologist, and university professor. Excellent appendices include resources, organizations, computer programs and a bibliography.
Developing Talent in Young People, edited by Benjamin Bloom. Only available used, the book details the early childhood development and family lives of children who go on to professional, expert levels in music and the arts, athletics, and mathematics and science. Very helpful and eye-opening.
Different Minds: Gifted Children With AD/HD, Asperger Syndrome, and Other Learning Deficits, by Deirdre V. Lovecky. The author guides parents and professionals through methods of diagnosis and advises on how best to nurture individual needs, positive behavior and relationships at home and at school, using case studies to illustrate emotional, intellectual, creative and social development.
Educating Gifted Students in Middle School: A Practical Guide, by Susan Rakow. Understanding and meeting the needs of gifted students in middle school offers unique challenges. Using creative, practical, and realistic school solutions, this book provides useful ways for teachers, administrators, and parents to meet these needs. The author understands the issues of the day, those that—unfortunately—preclude ability grouping and tracking, and details methods that will be politically acceptable while getting closer to meeting the unique needs of gifted middle school students.
Genius, Creativity, and Leadership: Histriometric Inquiries, by Dean Keith Simonton. The author examines creators and leaders of history whose impact on their own and later times has been so great that they deserve the label "genius." Simonton believes that if we subject the lives of the eminent to scientific analysis we may be able to discover general laws of history and social behavior.
Genius Denied: How to Stop Wasting Our Brightest Minds, by Jan and Bob Davidson. A highly readable and important book about some of the most important issues in the field of gifted education today. The authors make a compelling case that schools are not meeting the educational needs of our brightest students, and offer clear recommendations on what we can do about it.
Genius: the Life and Science of Richard Feynman, by James Gleick. The biography of a great American scientist, his humble roots but obvious early precocity. Gives readers a sense about what sorts of things matter in the life of any highly and unusually intelligent person—pretty much what we all need and want!
Get Off My Brain: A Survival Guide for Lazy* Students (*Bored, Frustrated, and Otherwise Sick of School) by Randall McCutcheon, et al. This is a guide for teens who are bored and frustrated at school, and who need acceptable ways to deal with their daily confinement. Written in a humorous style, it details methods for making the most—and getting the most—out of your school days.
Get Organized Without Losing It by Janet Fox, et al. Tips, techniques, strategies, and examples, offered in a friendly, humorous and practical manner, empower kids to conquer clutter, prioritize tasks, handle homework, prepare for tests, plan projects, and stop procrastinating, which will lead to less stress and more success.
The Gifted Adult: A Revolutionary Guide to Liberating Everyday Genius, by Mary-Elaine Jacobsen. There are millions of unidentified individuals of high potential lost within the fabric of a society that seems to have issued an edict against knowing oneself, being oneself, and expressing oneself fully. Great book for adults who are just starting to realize they may be gifted.
Gifted Children: Myths and Realities, (1996), by Ellen Winner. The author uses case studies and biological and psychological evidence to explore numerous misconceptions about giftedness; and she looks at the role schools play in fostering—or too often squandering—the abilities of (intellectually and artistically) gifted children.
Gifted Grownups: The mixed blessings of extraordinary potential, (1999), Marylou Kelly Streznewski. Good grouping of anecdotes on a variety of topics. Ms. Streznewski has captured "the feel" of modern day gifted adults. [She does not have a test and measurement background and erroneously states that one can have a 115 IQ and actually be quite gifted. The test was inadequate for correctly assessing the person. A person who is quite gifted has a higher IQ but may not know precisely what the IQ is.--Dr. Ruf]
Greatness: Who Makes History and Why by Dean Keith Simonton. The author explores the many aspects of greatness, including intelligence, creativity, leadership, social forces, and more. Essential reading for anyone interested in what makes some people stand out from the rest.
A Grandparents’ Guide to Gifted Children, by James Webb, Janet Gore, Frances Karnes, and A. Stephen McDaniel. A great gift idea for proud grandparents or those to whom you are trying to introduce the concepts of what gifted children are and what they need. Grandparents can provide important emotional support for bright, talented (exhausting!) children, especially when they understand them better.
Growing Up Gifted (5th edition paperback or 6th edition hardback), by Barbara Clark. This textbook is the definitive portrait of what high intellectual ability is and where it comes from. Excellent.
Guiding the Gifted Child, by James Webb, Elizabeth Meckstroth, and Stephanie Tolan. This is Dr. Ruf's favorite overview of gifted children, which she calls the gifted primer. It taps into the essential elements of giftedness and helps parents recognize their own experiences with high intelligence throughout their own lives.
Helping Gifted Children Soar: A Practical Guide for Parents and Teachers, by Carol A. Strip. The information and useful advice provided make this book an ideal resource both for those just starting out in the gifted field as well as those who are already seasoned veterans.
If You Could See the Way I Think: A Handbook for Visual-Spatial Kids. Alexandra (Allie) Shires Golon. 2005. Gifted Development Center, Denver. A celebration of the gifts of students who prefer a visual-spatial learning style and who can use help in the following areas: spelling; handwriting; taking timed tests; memorizing times tables; getting and staying focused during auditory lectures; creating outlines and written reports; and lots more. Website for Visual Spatial Resource Center at the Gifted Development Center: www.visualspatial.org.
Intellectual Talent: Psychometric and Social Issues, edited by Camilla Persson Benbow and David Lubinski. This book examines the political ramifications of emotionally loaded findings about individual differences—documenting cases in which findings that contradict prevailing social values are simply ignored. The book also explores what is known about educating gifted children and why educators sometimes fail to act on that knowledge.
The Kids' Guide to Working Out Conflicts: How to Keep Cool, Stay Safe, and Get Along by Naomi Drew. Addressing common school problems encountered by students in middle school, the author offers effective tools for improving coping abilities and conflict-resolution skills. A really good book.
Literature Links: Activities for Gifted Readers by Teresa Masiello. Here is help for educators in meeting the needs of advanced readers in grades 2 through 6. Literature titles are included, along with discussion questions and classroom or small group activities for each title.
Mellow Out, They Say. If Only I Could, by Michael Piechowski. This is the long-awaited book from Dr. Piechowski on emotional intelligence. About gifted children and gifted adults.
Misdiagnosis And Dual Diagnoses Of Gifted Children And Adults: ADHD, Bipolar, OCD, Asperger's, Depression, And Other Disorders by James T. Webb, Edward R. Amend, Nadia E. Webb, Jean Goerss, Paul Beljan, F. Richard Olenchak, and Sharon Lind. Physicians, psychologists, and counselors are unaware of characteristics of gifted children and adults that mimic pathological diagnoses. Six nationally prominent health care professionals describe ways parents and professionals can distinguish between gifted behaviors and pathological behaviors.
The Mislabeled Child: How Understanding Your Child's Unique Learning Style Can Open the Door to Success by Brock Eide and Fernette Eide. The Eides are physicians who specialize in treating children with learning challenges, such as ADHD, autism and dyslexia. Based on physiological research on brain development, the authors discuss children's learning strengths and weaknesses and how to make the most of their potential. These people understand the 2e issues of giftedness combined with learning disabilities. Highly recommended.
More Than a Test Score: Teens Talk About Being Gifted, Talented, or Otherwise Extra-ordinary by Robert Schultz, et al. Gifted teenagers from around the world responded to an online survey about what it means to be gifted. This book draws from those responses to look at what giftedness is all about.
Motherstyles: Using Personality Type to Discover Your Parenting Strengths, by Janet P. Penley and Diane Eble.
This book helps parents understand how personality type, defined by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, affects parent-child interactions and family dynamics. Looking at how parents react to their children, and why, the authors offer ways to overcome the parenting challenges inherent to each type.
The long-awaited Templeton Report called A Nation Deceived: How Schools Hold Back America's Brightest Students. Copies of this report are available free. Read it today!
Nature's Gambit: Child Prodigies and the Development of Human Potential by David H. Feldman. The author writes a sensitive and penetrating study of six prodigies that illuminates the nature, development, and possible fates of all human gifts. He emphasizes the important ‘forces of coincidence’ in the lives of any successful person.
Origins of Genius: Darwinian Perspectives on Creativity, by Dean Keith Simonton.
Simonton explores how cultural evolution and environmental influences stimulate the emergence of genius, as well as the links between mental illness and creativity.
A Parent's Guide to Gifted Children, by James T. Webb, et al. The four authors, who have decades of professional experience with gifted children and their families, provide practical guidance to parents in the special challenges of raising their gifted children. This is an ideal follow-up book to Dr. Ruf's 5 Levels of Gifted: School Issues and Educational Options (2005) (formerly titled Losing Our Minds: Gifted Children Left Behind).
Please Understand Me II: Temperament, Character, Intelligence by David Kiersey. For 20 years, Keirsey has investigated personality differences, working to define the facets of character that distinguish one from another. His findings form the basis of Please Understand Me II, an updated and greatly expanded edition of his original book which was published in 1978. One major addition is Keirsey's view of how the temperaments differ in the intelligent roles they are most likely to develop. We all have a long suit and a short suit in what interests us and what we do well, he says, and fortunate indeed are those whose work matches their skills.
The Prodigy: A Biography of William Sidis, America's Greatest Child Prodigy by Amy Wallace. Wallace writes in a straightforward manner about the early precocity and childhood of Sidis, the genius famous for prodigious failure in adulthood, of “burning out.” If you read between the lines, however, you’ll see how Sidis never got the emotional support or understanding he really needed—and neither did his parents.
Raising Topsy-Turvy Kids: Successfully Parenting Your Visual-Spatial Child by Alexandra (Allie) Shires Golon. 2005. Gifted Development Center, Denver. A celebration of the gifts of students who prefer a visual-spatial learning style and who can use help in the following areas: spelling; handwriting; taking timed tests; memorizing times tables; getting and staying focused during auditory lectures; creating outlines and written reports; and lots more. Website for Visual Spatial Resource Center at the Gifted Development Center: www.visualspatial.org
Re-Forming Gifted Education: Matching the Program to the Child, by Karen Rogers. The author describes various types of gifted children, as well as options for school enrichment and acceleration. She reports the effectiveness for each option according to the research. Having this information can help parents and educators to know better what is possible and how to go about setting it up.
Right-Brained Children in a Left-Brained World: Unlocking the Potential of Your ADD Child by Jeffrey Freed and Laurie Parsons. Simon &Schuster, 1997. An in-depth look at visual-spatial kids and gifted kids with ADD. Includes strategies to help these kids cope and succeed.
See Jane Win for Girls: A Smart Girl’s Guide to Success by Sylvia Rimm. A fun planning guide for smart girls, very inspiring as it draws from the real lives of successful women.
Smart Boys: Talent, Manhood, and the Search for Meaning by Barbara Kerr and Sanford J. Cohen. “Why do so many of our brightest boys and young men underachieve in school and fail to reach their full potential in the world of work? Why do so many smart boys have problems with depression in adolescence or later in their adult years? The authors use their extensive work with gifted youth, current research, reviews of other books, and interviews with gifted men. They give suggestions for parents and teachers to help, as well as insights for gifted men.
The Social and Emotional Development of Gifted Children: What Do We Know? by Maureen Neihart, Sally M. Reis, Nancy M. Robinson, Sidney M. Moon. A publication of NAGC, available from Prufrock Press, 2002. Leading scholars comprehensively summarize several decades worth of the best research on the social and emotional characteristics of, and issues faced by, gifted children and adolescents. They offer what they learned from the research they examined, not absolute truths that will apply to all gifted children. The book’s 24 chapters explore underachievement, perfectionism, acceleration, peer pressure, depression, delinquency, risk and resilience, and social acceptance among gifted students. Also addressed are specific populations within the gifted community, such as the special concerns of girls and of boys, students with disabilities or AD/HD, the creatively gifted, and gifted children who are gay, lesbian or bisexual. Each chapter reviews and presents research relevant to a topic, with authors carefully distinguishing fact from fiction regarding the social-emotional and psychological characteristics of gifted children. They stress, for example, that there is little research to suggest that gifted students are psychologically or emotionally vulnerable because of their gifts. However, gifted students may be at risk because of the frequent disparity between their cognitive abilities and their educational program.
Some of My Best Friends are Books: Guiding Gifted Readers from Pre-School to High School (Second Edition), Judith Wynn Halsted. This book’s extensive indexing makes it easy to find books that are appropriate and yet advanced and engaging enough for gifted children. Many classic books are listed by social or emotional topic so that adults can use books for bibliotherapy – the heroes and heroines of the books deal with problems familiar to the gifted child.
The Spatial Child by John Philo Dixon. Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 1983. One of the first books written about this topic. Although often a primary sign of giftedness, spatial ability may be unrecognized, misdiagnosed or misunderstood. The author describes ways to identify spatial children and methods of classroom instruction, with emphasis on approaches that encourage the spatial gift while compensating for possible deficiencies, especially in social learning, the language arts and memory. Includes a section on the lives of spatial geniuses such as Picasso, Einstein and Newton.
Stand Up For Your Gifted Child: How to Make the Most of Your Kids' Strengths at School and at Home, by Joan F. Smutny. You’ll explore various options for your child’s education and learn how to communicate effectively with the local school and district, connect with other parents, and provide enrichment at home. You’ll discover your rights as a parent—and the benefits of taking a stand.
The Survival Guide for Kids with ADD or ADHD by John Taylor. Written in a clear and kid-friendly manner, this book covers such topics as medications, getting along at home, making friends, and succeeding at school. The format and style work well for young children to read with a parent so that discussions happen.
Teaching Kids With Learning Difficulties in the Regular Classroom: Strategies and Techniques Every Teacher Can Use to Challenge and Motivate Struggling Students by Susan Winebrenner and Pamela Espeland. Free Spirit Publishing, Inc., Minneapolis, MN. This book is a comprehensive menu of options, a gold mine of proven, practical ways to help students labeled “special education,” “slow,” “remedial,” or “LD” succeed in school - without watering down content, lowering expectations, or depriving other students of a teacher's time and attention.
The Teenagers' Guide to School Outside the Box by John Taylor. The author explores a variety of traditional and nontraditional environments for volunteering, mentoring, alternative classes, job shadowing, internships, apprenticeships, camps, and study abroad. These are valuable ideas on how teens can enrich their lives outside of school. Dr. Ruf highly recommends this book because it supports her goal of building the child’s “portfolio” through acceptance that “school is not real life” and bright kids need to develop and highlight their strengths, not just get through school.
Understanding Creativity, by Jane Piirto. In this textbook, the author’s descriptions of well-known people in various creative fields—art, music, dance, theater, writing, science, math, business, technology—are fascinating, particularly the predictive behaviors apparent in childhood. She outlines the creative process and theories of how it develops.
Understanding Those Who Create, by Jane Piirto. Dr. Piirto illustrates her research regarding creativity and talent development with biographical material and life patterns of the creatively gifted, such as artists, writers, scientists, musicians, entrepreneurs, actors, and dancers. The author also provides ways for parents or educators to enhance and stimulate creativity, particularly in children.
Upside-Down Brilliance: The Visual-Spatial Learner by Linda Kreger Silverman. Gifted Development Center, Denver, CO. 2002. Learn practical ways to recognize, reach, and develop visual-spatial abilities (such as imagination, three-dimensional perception, visualization, artistic expression, intuitive knowledge, scientific & technological proficiency, invention, emotional responsiveness, discovery, holistic & whole-part thinking, spirituality, holographic understanding), an overlooked form of giftedness, the gifts of the right hemisphere. Adults and children alike will find in this book an opening to hidden abilities they may not even know they have.
The War Against Excellence: The Rising Tide of Mediocrity in America's Middle Schools, by Cheri Pierson Yecke. This book explains the extent to which American education has turned "giftedness" from an asset into an embarrassing mark of "elitism." It describes the typical middle school not as an educational institution where children learn important skills and knowledge but as a social engineering vehicle that has put a glass ceiling on student achievement in the name of an equity of mediocrity.
What Could He Be Thinking? How a Man's Mind Really Works, by Michael Gurian. Gurian uses PET scan and MRI brain research and his own years of psychological work with individuals, couples, and families to interpret just how very different the brain chemistry, motivations, and overall thought processes and abilities differ between males and females. Invaluable guide for everyone interested in guiding boys into men and learning how to interpret and communicate with them.
What Do You Really Want? by Beverly Bachel. The author is a successful business entrepreneur, and she has used her experience and knowledge to help teens define their real interests. She offers good advice about pursuing workable goals and then celebrating their achievements. Although this is for teenagers, parents should read it, too, so that they can be supportive of their children’s interests and goals. Too many parents over-rate school experiences and keep their kids from experiencing what are their kids’ true passions and ability areas.
What to Do When Good Enough Isn't Good Enough: The Real Deal on Perfectionism: A Guide For Kids by Thomas Greenspon. Written to and for ages 9–13, this book helps kids understand how perfectionism hurts them and how to free themselves. The author includes true-to-life vignettes, exercises, and a note to grown-ups. This is another good book to read together, especially if your child isn’t the type to read a self-help book, i.e. most boys. Dr. Greenspon has a wonderful grasp of what perfectionism is, where it comes from, and what to do about it.
When Gifted Kids Don't Have All the Answers: How to Meet Their Social and Emotional Needs, by Jim Delisle and Judy Galbraith. Parents and older gifted children, as well as educators, can find answers to the questions that they often don’t know where else to find. This book addresses through anecdotes and very personal terms what giftedness is—inside and out—and how to set up the environment to nurture and enjoy it.
When Nothing Matters Anymore: A Survival Guide for Depressed Teens by Bev Cobain. The author presents an easily understood and nonjudgmental discussion of what depression means, the types of depression, and the relationship between depression and suicide. In addition, she deals with treatment options and offers suggestions for positive mental and physical health. Bright teens, especially gifted ones, are smart enough to figure out that life is hard, confusing, and may even seem somewhat pointless from time to time. Unless we talk about that reality, our advice isn’t very believable. Cobain is believable.
Why Bright Kids Get Poor Grades: And What You Can Do About It by Sylvia B. Rimm. Random House, NY, 1995. (An update of her earlier book, Underachievement Syndrome: Causes and Cures.) Sections have been added that are based on her experiences as a psychologist in clinical work in the area of gifted underachievers. Covers the many causes of underachievement and offers strategies to assist parents and teachers in nurturing achievement and reversing underachievement.
The Wonder of Boys, by Michael Gurian. This book goes into more specific details and suggestions for parents and educators working with boys. They are so different in their needs that one would be remiss not to learn more about it.
The Wonder of Girls, by Michael Gurian. This book goes into more specific details and suggestions for parents and educators working with girls.
On Specific Issues and Parenting
For Anyone Interested in Knowing More About Giftedness
