Parents' Guide to IQ Testing and Gifted Education

November 1, 2006
With two books touted as containing "all" and "everything" parents of gifted children "need to know," some redundancy can be expected, and, indeed, these books both cover much the same ground. That groundwhich includes signs of giftedness, intelligence testing, gifted education, and learning disabilitieshas been covered in other works as well, among them Kate Distin's "Gifted Children: A Guide for Parents and Professionals". Educational psychologist Palmer focuses on testing and education. Writing in a clear and simple (bordering on simplistic) style, he presents the content in an organized, even, and balanced manner. "Quick Points" and sidebars provide brief summaries of the information presented in the various sections and chapters, making "Parents' Guide" a useful, if abbreviated, ready reference for parents.

Klein's work, based on her clinical practice with parents of gifted children, is judgmental, opinionated, and prescriptionist. It is also filled with sweeping generalizations and stereotypes. Complex questions about parenting gifted children are given definite answers. Parents of gifted children are labeled as "accessory," "in denial," or "good enough," while those of nongifted children are routinely vilified as "jealous"; educators are seen as lazy and obstructionist. It is not clear whether the examples and case studies that make up the bulk of this work are real or fictional, but many span 20 to 30 years and seem contrived and predictable. References to actors, the entertainment industry, and the wealthy and influential of Hollywood and Los Angeles abound. Neither book is an essential purchase, but Palmer's does provide a simple, easy overview of testing and education and is therefore recommended for public libraries needing additional material in this area. Klein's will appeal primarily to the audience on which it is based.Suzanne M. Stauffer, SLIS, Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge

Copyright 2006 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.