The Top Shelf

Summer 2003 Book Reviews

Volume 3 / Issue 4 / Summer 2003

The Survival Guide for Parents of Gifted Kids: How to Understand, Live with, and Stick Up for Your Gifted Child, by Sally Yahnke Walker, edited by Caryn Pernu. Free Spirit, 2002. Paperback, 167 pp., ISBN 1-57542-111-9. $14.95

This revised edition provides parents with up-to-date information about their gifted child. Condensed and easy to read, it includes a brief history of gifted education, the meaning of giftedness and methods of identifying it, strategies for living with a gifted child, techniques for coping with problems associated with giftedness, descriptions of educational options, tips on advocacy, and a question-and-answer section. The Survival Guide is an encouraging read for parents who feel overwhelmed by the task of raising a gifted child and need guidance and resources.

Problem Child or Quirky Kid? A Commonsense Guide for Parents, by Rita Sommers-Flanagan and John Sommers-Flanagan. Free Spirit, 2002. Paperback, 224 pp., ISBN 1-57542-121-6. $15.95

“Is my child normal?” This guidebook is a good starting point for parents who want the answer. The authors begin with a description of the nine dimensions of temperament and examples of normal and problematic development. Subsequent chapters detail difficulties that children may experience, such as fear and anxiety, eating and sleeping disorders, hyperactivity, depression, problems with sexual and social development, stress, behavior issues, and more. Vignettes of children with specific problems appear throughout the text. There are suggested resources at the end of each chapter, and the book concludes with information about how to determine if a mental health professional is needed and how to select one.

Freeing Our Families from Perfectionism, by Thomas S. Greenspon. Free Spirit, 2002. Paperback, 115 pp., ISBN 1-57542-103-8. $14.95

Drawing on his personal and professional experiences, psychologist and therapist Thomas S. Greenspon shows how to recognize perfectionism, how one falls prey to it, and how to apply strategies to free oneself from it. Readers are invited to reflect on their own experiences in “Make a Note of It” segments, and “Talk It Over” activities encourage discussions among family members about perfectionism. If you or someone in your family struggles with perfectionism, this book is a good resource for beginning a dialogue and developing more healthy living practices.

Our Family Meeting Book: Fun and Easy Ways to Manage Time, Build Communication, and Share Responsibility Week by Week, by Elaine Hightower and Betsy Riley. Free Spirit, 2002. Paperback, 129 pp., ISBN 1-57542-120-8. $16.95

Families today have more hectic schedules than ever and need to plan high-quality time together. This book provides advice on the whys and hows of conducting a family meeting. Lively discussion topics are presented, such as family values, thoughtfulness, self-esteem, and teamwork. Weekly agendas provide areas to jot down accomplishments and concerns and to plan schedules and meals. The flexible format allows families to customize an approach to family meetings that meets their needs. Our Family Meeting Book is a useful guide for encouraging communication and shared responsibility in your family.
—Kristen R. Stephens, Ph.D.

Kristen R. Stephens is coordinator of educational outreach at the Duke University Talent Identification Program and adjunct assistant professor in the Program in Education at Duke.