4 Books to Add to Your Gifted Learner's Reading List This Summer Break

Summer is the ideal time for your gifted child to indulge their love for reading with a huge stack of books. Since gifted learners tend to read well above their age level, it can be hard as a parent to know which books are best for their reader. As summer approaches, here are some suggestions for books that will stimulate your child’s interest while strengthening their reading skills.

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Children who enjoy science fiction and superhero stories will enjoy diving into this book that combines both elements while inviting kids to explore the concept of what could happen if a tesseract (or wrinkle in time) exists. As the two main characters Meg and Charles attempt to cope in a world where they don’t fit in, their misfit status will resonate with gifted learners who often feel out of place among their peers. This classic book is also required reading in many schools, which will put your child a step ahead for upcoming years.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Gifted children tend to be very socially aware, and Lowry has written one of the most influential books of our time. In “The Giver”, everything seems ideal in the perfect society where everyone knows their role and there is no pain until Jonas becomes the Receiver of Memory and learns that there is a dark side to their community. Although this book tackles some tough subjects, it is done in a way that encourages children to develop their opinions about how much is worth sacrificing to live in a state of contentment and if a utopian society is even possible.

The Gifted Kid’s Survival Guide by Judy Galbraith, M.A.

This book comes in two versions to meet the needs of both teens and kids who are 10 years old and younger. In the book, tips and advice are offered on topics such as handling perfectionism, coping with bullies and dealing with high expectations from others. Fun facts, quizzes and notes from real children are all interspersed with factual information that helps kids feel less alone as they learn more about what it means to be gifted and talented.

House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

In a series of vignettes, Esperanza, a young Hispanic girl tells of her life living in an impoverished portion of Chicago. In many ways, it is a coming of age story as Esperanza begins to realize and yearn for a life better than that what she has seen in her community. Cisneros writes in simple everyday language that feels as though Esperanza is sitting right there, telling you about her observations on Mango Street. For gifted learners, the book pulls together themes such as feminism, poverty and free will while demonstrating how creative writing can veer from the traditional rules of language to evoke an emotional response from the reader.

On summer break, there is no greater joy than settling in to a stack of books. Whether your child is into science fiction or prefers to learn more about what it means to be gifted and talented, there are tons of books that you can add to their reading list. As you explore books to keep your child stimulated this summer, be sure to give them a read through too so you can enjoy lively discussions of the topics you discover together.