10 Children’s Books about
Gifted Students, to share with
the classroom
HillieRe Otto
Psy 324
I would use this selection of books in a 3rd or 4th
grade classroom setting. Some of the books are a bit
lower level and some are right on. They differ
depending on the content, use and reading
level/capabilities of students.
10/16/2012
1. The Autism Acceptance Book:
Being a Friend to Someone with
Autism. By: Ellen Sabin
Watering Can Press, 2006
Book Description
Publication Date: January 30, 2006 | Age
Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up
The Autism Acceptance Book is an
interactive, educational, and characterbuilding book that introduces children to
the challenges faced by people with
autism while also supporting their
personal journey toward appreciating
and respecting people's differences.
This book offers educational information,
conversation-starters, and engaging
exercises that invite children to "walk in
someone else's shoes" as they learn to
treat others the same ways they would like to be treated themselves.
(Amazon.com)
 This book would be a good book to help encourage a healthy
conversation about kids with disabilities, and would help kids learn to
respect those with disabilities and when they understand this, they will
be in a better situation when it comes to befriending them.
2. A Friend Like Simon
by: Kate Gaynor
Special Stories Publishing, 2009
Book Description
Publication Date: September 23, 2009 |
Series: Special Stories Series 2
When an autistic child joins a mainstream
school, many children can find it difficult
to understand and cope with a student
that is somewhat different to them. This
story encourages other children to be
mindful and patient of the differences
that exist and to also appreciate the
positive contribution that an autistic
child can make to the group.
(Amazon.com)
 This would be a perfect book to introduce to students if there is a new
student with autism joining the school or classroom and it could help
them to see from a different kid’s perspective that just because
someone is different doesn’t mean they don’t have worth or that they
may still be a good friend, and that others should be friends with that
student.
3. Wonder by R.L. Palacio
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2012
Book Description
Release Date: February 14, 2012 | Age Level: 8 and
up | Grade Level: 3 and up
I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're
thinking, it's probably worse.
August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that,
up until now, has prevented him from going to a
mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher
Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an
ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past
Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a New
York Times bestseller, begins from Auggie’s point of
view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his
sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives
converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and
acceptance.
In a world where bullying among young people is an epidemic, this is a refreshing
new narrative full of heart and hope. R.J. Palacio has called her debut novel “a
meditation on kindness” —indeed, every reader will come away with a greater
appreciation for the simple courage of friendship. Auggie is a hero to root for, a
diamond in the rough who proves that you can’t blend in when you were born
to stand out. (Amazon.com)
 I think this would be a good book for students to read on their own, or
for me as the teacher to read aloud to the class and have discussions
about. It would be a good book to help the students develop empathy
and also be a good way to get a more in-depth look at how it is to
have a disability or deformity, and the impact that other people, kids,
and students will have on that person.
4. Smart Talk: What Kids Say
about Growing Up Gifted
By: Robert A. Schultz, PhD and
James R. Delisle PhD
Free Spirit Publishing, 2006
Book Description
Publication Date: September 15, 2006 |
Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 & up
When you really want to know what it's
like to grow up gifted, ask gifted kids.
Based on a survey of thousands of young
people around the world, this candid,
refreshing book helps gifted kids know
they're not alone and they're definitely
not "weird." Quotes from real kids ages
6-12 and brief biographies provide insight
into challenges gifted children face, like trying to fit in, dealing with adults'
expectations, making mistakes, and being bored in school. Activities help readers
relate the information and issues to their own lives. A must for any gifted child—
and for any grown-up who wants to know the good stuff and bad stuff, cool parts
and different parts of growing up gifted today. (Amazon.com)
 A good conversational piece for the class, also a good book to put
students in the shoes of kids with disabilities. Students could write a
concept sketch with their reaction to the book and what they learned
about gifted kids.
5. Special People,
Special Ways by:
Arlene Maguire
Future Horizons, 2000
Book Description
Publication Date: June 1,
2000 | Age Level: 5 and
up | Grade Level: K and up
Arlene Maguire's delightful
rhymes combine with Sheila
Bailey's rich watercolor
illustrations to take the reader on a journey of discovery. Each page portrays
positive images of children with various disabilities. Winner of an iParenting Media
Award, this book illustrates that beyond our physical limitations is a world of unique
gifts for each of us to share. Teachers and parents love to read this book aloud to
promote understanding and tolerance at school and at home. The detailed artwork
attracts children of all ages. (Amazon.com)
 I think that this particular book would shine a positive light on
students with disabilities and give students a good concept of the
abilities of all kids, even those who are different from the norm.
6. Out of My Mind
by: Sharon M. Draper
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2012
Book Description
Release Date: May 1, 2012 | Age Level: 10 and
up
Melody is not like most people. She cannot
walk or talk, but she has a photographic
memory; she can remember every detail of
everything she has ever experienced. She is
smarter than most of the adults who try to
diagnose her and smarter than her
classmates in her integrated classroom—the
very same classmates who dismiss her as
mentally challenged, because she cannot tell
them otherwise. But Melody refuses to be
defined by cerebral palsy. And she’s
determined to let everyone know
it…somehow. In this breakthrough story—
reminiscent of The Diving Bell and the
Butterfly—from multiple Coretta Scott King
Award-winner Sharon Draper, readers will come to know a brilliant mind and a
brave spirit who will change forever how they look at anyone with a disability.
(Amazon.com)
 This would be a great book to have as a choice for a book report book.
It would give great insight on children with cerebral palsy, and their
complete mental capacity that usually goes unnoticed. It would help
them better appreciate those who they usually look down on.
7. Susan Laughs
by: Jeanne Willis and Tony Ross
Henry Holt and Co., 2000
Book Description
Publication Date: September 1, 2000 |
Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P &
up
Told in rhyme, this story follows Susan
through a series of familiar activities. She
swims with her father, works hard in
school, plays with her friends and even
rides a horse. Lively, thoughtfully drawn
illustrations reveal a portrait of a busy,
happy little girl with whom younger
readers will identify. Not until the end of
the story is it revealed that Susan uses a
wheelchair.
Told with insight, and without sentimentality, here is an inspiring look at one
spunky little girl whose physical disability is never seen as a handicap.
(Amazon.com)
 This is a nice simple book that will show students how very capable
that students with disabilities are, especially when it comes to
everyday activities, playing, and normal “kid stiff”. It could help them
realize that those with disabilities really aren’t that much different
from themselves.
8. Don’t Call Me Special: A First
Look at Disability
By: Pat Thomas
Barron's Educational Series, 2005
Book Description
Release Date: November 17, 2005 |
Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P
and up | Series: First Look at Books
This delightful picture book explores
questions and concerns about physical
disabilities in a simple and reassuring
way. Younger children can find out about
individual disabilities, special equipment
that is available to help the disabled, and
how people of all ages can deal with
disabilities and live happy and full lives. Titles in this series for younger children
explore emotional issues that boys and girls encounter as part of the growing-up
process. Books are focused to appeal to kids of preschool through early school age.
Written by psychotherapist and counselor Pat Thomas, A First Look At books
promote positive interaction among children, parents, and teachers, and encourage
kids to ask questions and confront social and emotional questions that sometimes
present problems. Books feature appealing full-color illustrations on every page
plus a page of advice to parents and teachers. (Amazon.com)
 Though this is a very basic and low level book, I still think that it would
be good to read aloud in the classroom to help students understand
how to treat and speak to children with disabilities.
9. Understanding Myself
By: Mary C. Lanla, PhD
Magination Pr, 2010
family.

Book Description
Publication Date: November 15, 2010 |
Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4
and up
Understanding Myself is written especially
for kids with intense emotions. Chock-full
of current and relevant psychological
research on emotions as well as real-life
stories, useful quizzes and fun-fact
boxes, Understanding Myself will
encourage kids to notice just what their
emotions are telling them about
themselves, their friends, and their
I think this is a good book to help me as the teacher identify students
who may have an EBD or other disability, but also, would be a good
resource for students to look at if they come to me for help, or if they
are looking for answers about themselves.
10. Different Like Me: My
Book of Autism Heroes
By: Jennifer Elder
Jessica Kingsley Pub, 2005
Book Description
Publication Date: November
30, 2005
Different Like Me introduces
children aged 8 to 12 years to
famous, inspirational figures
from the world of science, art,
math, literature, philosophy and
comedy.
Eight-year-old Quinn, a young
boy with Asperger's Syndrome,
tells young readers about the
achievements and
characteristics of his autism
heroes, from Albert Einstein,
Dian Fossey and Wassily
Kandinsky to Lewis Carroll, Benjamin Banneker and Julia Bowman Robinson, among
others. All excel in different fields, but are united by the fact that they often found
it difficult to fit in-just like Quinn.
Fully illustrated in color and written in child-friendly language, this book will be a
wonderful resource for children, particularly children with autism, their parents,
teachers, careers and siblings. (Amazon.com)
 I think that this would be a good book to have on the bookshelf for
students who have autism, or other students who want to learn more
about some famous people in history who have had the same disability
as them. I think it would help them to build confidence in themselves,
and would help students who don’t have a disability see the value in
people who have disabilities.
Website Links:
1. http://www.amazon.com/The-Autism-Acceptance-BookSomeone/dp/0975986821/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_2
2. http://www.amazon.com/Friend-Like-Simon-Moonbeamchildrens/dp/0956175120/ref=pd_sim_b_4
3. http://www.amazon.com/Wonder-R-JPalacio/dp/0375869026/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350259297&sr=1
-10
4. http://www.amazon.com/Smart-Talk-About-GrowingGifted/dp/1575422050/ref=sr_1_30?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350259384&sr=130&keywords=gifted+children
5. http://www.amazon.com/Special-People-Ways-ArleneMaguire/dp/1885477651/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350259864&sr=14&keywords=disabilities
6. http://www.amazon.com/Out-My-Mind-SharonDraper/dp/1416971718/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350259864&sr=16&keywords=disabilities
7. http://www.amazon.com/Susan-Laughs-JeanneWillis/dp/0805065016/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350259864&sr=15&keywords=disabilities
8. http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Call-Me-SpecialDisability/dp/0764121189/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350259864&sr=1
-1&keywords=disabilities
9. http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Myself-Intense-EmotionsFeelings/dp/1433808897/ref=sr_1_22?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350259363&sr=
1-22&keywords=gifted+children
10. http://www.amazon.com/Different-Like-Me-AutismHeroes/dp/1843108151/ref=pd_sim_b_5
I will email this document to you as well so that you are able to click on these links to
view the books on Amazon.com.