Gifted
Kids, Gifted Characters,
and Great Books
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Bertie Kingore, Ph.D.
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A
gifted ten year old reacted to E. L. Konigsburg's
female protagonist From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs.
Basil E. Frankweiler (1967) by exclaiming: "Claudia
is so much like me! She's so bright, she uses logic
and plans, but most of all, she wants to do
something important with her life. That's exactly
how I feel. I don't want my life to just be
regular." Quality literature involving gifted
characters should be available to gifted children
and adolescents to encourage reflection about their
feelings, concerns, and interests. These books can
help students gain insights into their own lives
and identify with others. Librarians know that
children frequently seek books about "kids like
me." However, because the development of key
characters who are gifted is not typical in most
books, help is needed to locate books with gifted
characters.
The
annotated bibliography in this article focuses on
the following three criteria: the books are written
by authors of merit; each book contains
well-developed characters who display gifted
behaviors; and the stories include
thought-provoking problem situations, issues, or
personal needs with which gifted students can
identify. These titles are widely available in
libraries and many bookstores. A few of these books
may be temporarily out of print as publishers are
seasonal in their reprinting. However, they are
well worth looking for in your library or may be
ordered from interlibrary loan.
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You
can locate additional titles relating to
specific social and emotional needs in The
Bookfinder: A Guide to Children's
Literature About the Needs and Problems of
Youth Ages 2-15. While most books listed
in that resource do not involve gifted
characters, the annotated bibliographies
may still prove useful for individual
needs.
Since
it prompts opinions and emotional
reactions, another source certain to
motivate gifted students is "One Hundred
Books That Shaped the Century" (Breen,
et.al., 2000). In that article, a team of
experts selected the 20th century's most
significant books for children and young
adults. Many gifted readers will be
intrigued finding out how many recognized
books they have read and debating with
others why another cherished book should
have made the
list.
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The
books listed in this article exemplify multiple
kinds of giftedness including
academic/intellectual, performing arts, creativity,
specific subject areas, leadership, and
psychomotor. It is significant that the characters
displaying giftedness in these books represent
diverse ethnic populations and a broad span of
socioeconomic levels. Thus, these characters model
that gifted potentials exist and require nurturing
in every population.
The
books incorporate a wide range of gifted
characteristics through the behaviors and needs of
the characters. Different characters in these
stories demonstrate combinations of advanced
language, complex analyzing and problem solving,
content depth and expertise, unique points of view,
sensitivity, and a sophisticated sense of humor
(Kingore, 2001). Many of the characters use their
advanced potentials to benefit others. In Sara
Crewe (Burnet, 1981,28), the main character
analyzes that "a person who was clever ought to be
clever enough not to be unjust or deliberately
unkind to any one...So she would be as polite as
she could to people who in the least deserved
politeness."
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Be
alert, however, that giftedness is not
always portrayed in a positive light; some
gifted characters, like other humans,
display negative qualities. The author of
Matilda (Dahl, 1988) , for example,
develops comic relief by posturing the
parents as selfish dolts and having the
main character use her intellectual genius
to get back at some adults as she tries to
help her nice teacher, Miss
Honey.
Two
listed books have animal instead of human
characters. The two are worth mentioning
for the gifted characteristics they
exemplify and the messages they model.
Bright young children enjoy identifying
with these fantasy figures. Sylvester, in
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble (Steig,
1969), unassumingly uses an advanced
vocabulary and has such sensitivity he
ultimately reminds us that love is more
important in life than material
possessions. Frederick (Lionni, 1967)
documents the significant value of
imagination and creativity by suggesting
the psychological truth that it is our
dreams that help sustain us in difficult
times.
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The
genre of biographies deserves special consideration
as highly applicable for gifted learners.
Biographies and autobiographies frequently serve as
role models for gifted students by illustrating how
even prominent or successful people experienced
triumphs, failures, and hardships throughout their
lives. Encourage gifted students to seek
biographies of famous people in their areas of
interests. Librarians can recommend numerous
biographies or books with biographic vignettes
relating to specific content areas. For example,
the list at the end of this article includes
Bedard's Emily (writing) (1992)), Krull's Wilma
Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's
Fastest Woman (athletics) (1996), Roberts' Henry
Cisneros: Mexican American Mayor (politics) (1986),
Parks' and Haskins' Rosa Parks: My Story (civil
action) (1992), Freedman's The Wright Brothers: How
They Invented the Airplane (aviation) 1991), and
Martin's Snowflake Bentley (science and
photography) (1998).
Parents
and teachers should read a book first before
suggesting it to a student. By reading the book
yourself, you may increase your own insight into
giftedness, be better prepared to discuss the book
with the child, and avoid recommending a book that
is not appropriate for a particular individual.
Obviously, you make selected books accessible to
children rather than force books upon them. After a
child has read a book, be available not only to
discuss it but, more importantly, to listen to the
student's perceptions. When appropriate, encourage
children to talk about the areas in which they
agree and disagree with the character while they
pose alternative problem approaches and
solutions.
Suggested
age levels are based on the ages of the gifted
characters, the complexity of the issues
confronting them, and the interest or appeal to
gifted readers. However, since gifted learners
frequently read and comprehend advanced materials,
the appropriate levels of materials can only be
determined by adults who know the child.
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Annotated Bibliography
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Avi.
(1991). Nothing But the Truth: A Documentary
Novel. New York: Orchard Books.
4-8 Avi's book emerges as a witty satire of
high school politics that invites the reader to
question and analyze what they read and hear from
the mass media.
Bedard,
M. (1992). Emily. New York: Doubleday.
3-6 An insightful vignette of the reclusive
life of Emily Dickinson is shared through a young
neighbor's visit.
Burnett,
F. H. (1981). Sara Crewe. New York:
Putnam.
2-6 Originally written in 1888, Sara remains
courageous and compassionate as she is orphaned and
falls from riches to a pauper.
Curtis,
C. P. (1999). Bud, Not Buddy. New York:
Delacorte.
4-8 This well-crafted novel explores the
life and hard times of a resourceful orphan in
search of his father during the
Depression.
Dahl,
R. (1988). Matilda. New York: Viking.
2-6 Matilda, a genius with selfish dolts for
parents, uses her untaped mental ability to punish
some hurtful adults and save her nice
teacher.
Fitzgerald,
J. D. (1967). The Great Brain. New York:
Dial.
2-6 This is the first title of an extensive
series exploring the adventures of a genius main
character.
Fitzhugh,
L. (1964). Harriet, the Spy. New York:
Harper & Row.
1-5 Harriet is intelligent and curious. She
writes observations of her neighbors and classmates
and then must devise a creative solution to
convince her friends to forgive her.
Fox,
M. (1985). Wilford Gordon McDonald
Partridge. New York: Kane/ Miller.
K-3 Wilford's favorite friend at the
retirement home loses her memory, and he wants to
figure out how to find it for her.
Freedman,
R. (1991). The Wright Brothers: How They
Invented the Airplane. New York:
Scholastic.
4-8 This non-fiction book, using historical
photographs and in-depth information, explains the
determination and creativity leading to Wilber and
Orville Wright's invention of the
airplane.
George,
J. C. (1959). My Side of the Mountain. New
York: Dutton.
3-6 Sam's diary reveals his experiences
living alone and off the land in the Catskill
Mountains.
Hamilton,
V. (1971). The Planet of Junior Brown. New
York: Macmillan.
5-8 Junior Brown is a talented pianist whose
weight causes people to ostracize him. This
inner-city story weaves a complex tale about
friendship, loyalty, and learning to live
together.
Hoffman,
M. (1991). Amazing Grace. New York:
Dial.
K-3 When Grace wants to try out for the role
of Peter Pan, her family encourages her to be what
she wants to be, but her friends are not as
supportive.
Konigsburg,
E. L. (1967). From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs.
Basil E. Frankweiler. New York: Atheneum.
3-7 A sister and a brother run away from
home to hide in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in
New York City and decipher the mystery of a
statue.
Konigsburg,
E.L. (1996). The View from Saturday. New
York: Scholastic.
4-8 Four gifted students and their teacher
form a team for the Academic Bowl and enhance their
humanity in the process.
Krull,
K. (1996). Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph
Became the World's Fastest Woman. San Diego:
Harcourt Brace.
2-6 This is a simple but informative
biography of Wilma Rudolph overcoming polio,
struggling to walk, and finally becoming an Olympic
runner.
L'Engle,
M. (1962). A Wrinkle in Time. New York:
Farrar, Straus, & Giroux. (1973). A Wind in
the Door. New York: Farrar, Straus, &
Giroux. (Sequel) (1978). A Swiftly Tilting
Planet. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux.
(Sequel)
3-8 The family members in this
science-fiction classic trilogy travel the cosmos,
face the problem of being different, fight to
overcome evil, and discover the power of
love.
Levine,
G. C. (1997). Ella Enchanted. New York:
Harper Collins.
3-8 In this Cinderella-based novel, the
spunky, intelligent heroine struggles to overcome
the curse that forces her to obey any command given
to her.
Lionni,
L. (1967). Frederick. New York: Random
House.
K-3 Frederick is different and the other
mice have to learn to appreciate him and his
talents.
Lowry,
L. (1993). The Giver. New York: Bantam
Doubleday Dell.
4-8 This complex novel relates the story of
a perfect world with no problems, fears, or pain.
The Giver holds the memories of the pain and
pleasure of life for the rest of the
population.
MacLachlan,
P. (1988). The Facts and Fictions of Minna
Pratt. New York: Harper & Row.
4-8 Minna is a talented musician who
struggles to learn to appreciate herself and the
uniqueness of her family.
Martin,
J. B. (1998). Snowflake Bentley. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin.
2-6 Persistence and family support are
taught in this biography of Wilson "Snowflake"
Bentley--a self-taught photographer and
scientist.
Parks,
R. & Haskins, J. (1992). Rosa Parks: My
Story. New York: Penguin.
K-5 Rosa Parks tells her story including the
famous incident on the Montgomery bus.
Paterson,
K. (1977). Bridge to Teribithia. New York:
Avon.
4-8 Two nonconformist friends create their
own magical realm and encourage each others gifts
as they grow in self-discovery.
Paterson,
K. (1985). Come Sing, Jimmy Jo. New York:
Dutton.
4-8 Painful shyness causes self and family
conflicts for a gifted eleven-year-old boy when he
reluctantly joins his family's musical
group.
Paterson,
K. (1980). Jacob Have I Loved. New York:
Avon.
6-8 Complex relationships and emotions
evolve as a twin feels that her sister has deprived
her of parental affection and schooling.
Paulsen,
G. (1996 ). Brian's Winter. New York:
Scholastic. (1987). Hatchet. New York:
Trumpet.
3-8 When the plane crashes, Brain is the
sole survivor and must solve unique survival
problems.
Raskin,
E. (1978). The Westing Game. New York:
Avon.
3-8 This mystery challenges the reader to
follow sixteen characters and plot line twists to
solve a puzzle.
Roberts,
M. (1986). Henry Cisneros: Mexican American
Mayor. Chicago: Children's Press.
3-8 This is the biography of the national
government official and former mayor of San
Antonio.
Ross,
T. (1994). Eggbert the Slightly Cracked Egg.
New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons.
K-2 With a generous serving of puns, Eggbert
uses his creativity and has many adventures trying
to fit in and be accepted.
Sobol,
D. J. (1963). Encyclopedia Brown: Boy
Detective. New York: Thomas Nelson.
1-4 The first title of an extensive series
of mysteries that the hero must solve.
Steig,
W. (1969). Sylvester and the Magic Pebble.
New York: Prentice-Hall.
K-4 Sylvester is in a predicament when he
finds a magic stone and a hungry lion. This is a
perfect story for illustrating loving family
relationships and modeling sophisticated
vocabulary.
Taylor,
M. (1976). Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. New
York: Dial. (1981). Let the Circle Be
Unbroken. New York: Dial.(Sequel)
3-8 Cassie and her brother, children of a
black school teacher, face subtle and explicit
racial prejudice in the early twentieth
century.
Voight,
C. (1981). The Homecoming. New York:
Atheneum. (1982). Dicey's Song. New York:
Atheneum. (Prequel)
3-8 With determination and creative problem
solving, a young girl struggles to keep her family
together after their mother abandons
them.
Wynne-Jones,
T. (1995). The Maestro. New York: Orchard
Books.
4-8 Burl's life is changed in one day when
he runs away from his abusive father and stumbles
upon an eccentric genius living in a remote
cabin.
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References
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Breen,
K., E. Fader., K. Odean, & Z. Sutherland.
(2000). "One hundred books that shaped the
century". School Library Journal, January,
50-58.
Kingore,
B. (2001). The
Kingore Observation Inventory (KOI), 2nd
ed.
Austin: Professional Associates
Publishing.
Spredemann-Dreyer,
S. (1989). The Bookfinder: A Guide to Children's
Literature About the Needs and Problems of Youth
Ages 2-15. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance
Service.
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