101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids, The Ultimate Handbook

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101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids, The Ultimate Handbook

by Christine Fonseca (Goodreads Author)

4.47 of 5 stars 4.47 · rating details · 36 ratings · 12 reviews

Pssst! Want to know a secret? "101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids: The Ultimate Handbook "is a must-read for gifted kids ages 8 to 12 who want to find success in school and life. If you're a gifted kid or you know gifted kids, you need the 101 awesome secrets, tips, and tricks included in this book!

Chock full of fun suggestions and practical strategies, "101 Success Secre...more

175 pages

Published May 1st 2011 by Prufrock Press

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May 01, 2011 Mad_Maudie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: nonfiction, academic-education

I teach gifties, so this is right up my alley! This book is geared toward younger kids, but when my freshmen come to the "big" school from their small rural middle schools, they often have a really hard time making the transition. From now on, I'll be helping them by using the information I found in this book. It's reader friendly, kid friendly, and I recommend it for all teachers and parents, whether your student/child has been identified as gifted or not. This book should be a must read in tea...more

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Jun 21, 2012 Allison Lupton added it

Shelves: reference-section

Fonseca, C. (2011). 101 success secrets for gifted kids: The ultimate handbook. Woodway, TX: Prufrock Press.
Reviewed By: Allison Lupton
Reference Type: Handbook
Reading Level: 5th- 8th
Call Number: 155.45
Cost: $12.76
Description: This handbook is a great resource for any student labled “gifted” as it offers information in a way that is easy to read and understand. It also offers advice and tips for students that are always pushing themselves to do better.
Relevance/Relationship: Our school collectio...more

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Aug 26, 2011 Kara Smith rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: gifted children 'labeled' in school as gifted

This handbook for the gifted child - and parents of gifted children - is like having a terrific guidebook while visiting Paris. Sure you could get through Paris without it – and obviously have a really great time although randomly. With it, however, you have the ability to make great choices, get the most out of the visit – as well as understand those down moments like knowing when you've gotten 'lost' and finding – more easily – your way back to where it is you want to go. It lessens the burden...more This handbook for the gifted child - and parents of gifted children - is like having a terrific guidebook while visiting Paris. Sure you could get through Paris without it – and obviously have a really great time although randomly. With it, however, you have the ability to make great choices, get the most out of the visit – as well as understand those down moments like knowing when you've gotten 'lost' and finding – more easily – your way back to where it is you want to go. It lessens the burden about having to know by guessing what really you couldn't have guessed because you'd never been there before; and, although lost moments are inevitable, there's less panic - less worry - because your guidebook mentioned this would happen. You know you're okay - or in danger (time to ask for help) - when you can read about what's typical – leading to an even more incredible journey.

I wish I'd known much of the information in this book - as the parent of a gifted child, now in high school. I feel a little sadness in my soul that we went without this 'guidebook' for so much of my child's school years. It is like being given an 'okay to be this way' for my child which, I think, the gifted label does, yet leaves so many lost without a thorough definition.

Even though this book is geared toward younger kids and their school experience, with many quotes from children ages 9 to 14, I plan to read some parts of this book with my high school age gifted child as sort of a pat on the back that he made it through the 'lost' parts, alone, on his own, having grown from his achievements, nonetheless. If you are a gifted child, or the parent of a gifted child, buy this book and read it for the emotionally supportive information, at least. It would not be ridiculous to have read this book as early as a child's sixth month in age, even though most parents are not aware their child is gifted until the educational system 'labels' the child through academics. I guess its impossible to have exactly the 'right' guidebook at all times, and the lost moments in life are sometimes necessary. Sometimes 'lost' moments can even be fun in which we find those truly 'all our own' spots – maybe even our favorite – to return to someday or remember all our lives. However, with gifted children all our own isn't alienating when we become aware that others – also labeled gifted - experience similar traits as part of our 'gift'edness.

The drawbacks to this book are that some of the tips – as they are called in the book – might be too intimidating for younger children to carry out. To get the most out of this handbook, both parent and child should read it and discuss the child's opinions about which tips they like and those they just would not do at school; AND, the parent should listen. Accept that this is where parents can help out; or, accept that its just not who your child is to respond in such a grown up manner, yet.

Overall, this book gives a gifted child an entire set of useful, relevant tools to help with the not-so-easy aspects of being gifted. After reading this book, the child, the child's parents, and even a close friend or two, can incorporate even just a few of these tools to make school, home life, and social life more enjoyable and less stressful - at both its cause and its effect on the child and on the group dynamic. The author, Christine Fonseca, has written this book in easy-to-read chapters. Each topic is a numbered 'Success Secret' with tips for reaching the topic's goal, quizzes to encourage introspection, and sections for writing out thoughts about the topics. I know with my high school-er there will be groans about having to 'do all this', yet the value in receiving these messages: 'I'm not crazy, I'm just smart', 'Gifted and intense go hand in hand', and 'If I were gifted this wouldn't be so hard' is worth the effort - sort of a spa day for the soul with returning visits. This guidebook would be best received by the children asked to read it (probably as an add-on to a list of other reading and chores) as soon as the 'gifted' label is determined at the doctor or at school. This book feels like a relief - just like a trusty guidebook right before you both might have gotten 'lost' on an otherwise terrific journey either way.(less)

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Jun 05, 2011 Julie Butcher rated it 5 of 5 stars

This won’t be a normal review. It is a record of Ms. Fonesca’s book in a trial situation with three of my gifted children. A girl age 11, a boy age 13, and a girl age 14.
On first impression each child was impressed with the layout of the book and the easy way they found sections turning the book sidewise and thumbing the pages. I asked them to take the book in their backpack to school and to see if it helped when there was a problem or a situation that made them feel frustrated.
Each child had be...more This won’t be a normal review. It is a record of Ms. Fonesca’s book in a trial situation with three of my gifted children. A girl age 11, a boy age 13, and a girl age 14.
On first impression each child was impressed with the layout of the book and the easy way they found sections turning the book sidewise and thumbing the pages. I asked them to take the book in their backpack to school and to see if it helped when there was a problem or a situation that made them feel frustrated.
Each child had been having problems either with peers or with teachers. There’s always something, right? The 11 year-old seemed quickest to grasp the concepts and more accepting that the answers would help. Maybe because of her age, her ideas and the way she sees the world is less set in stone. She found the secrets of test taking and went to town, bringing her test scores up from C’s and B’s to mostly A’s. What I discovered is that as a parent, I can tell them to study for tests until I’m blue in the face and they won’t. But if they read it in this book then of course they need to study.
The 13 year-old boy found the secrets about getting along with your peers to be the most helpful. They brought him out of his own head long enough to focus on others and to see them as individuals. He made the friend cards suggested. It made him more agreeable to others and I’ve noticed that his social circle has grown considerably. He also utilized the suggestions on how to deal with bullying and made a huge difference not only in his own experience, but in that of several classmates.
The 14 year old girl found the most help in the sections that pertained to emotion. She was able to deal with her own intensity in a calmer way and learned more tolerance. By understanding that others did not think in the leaps of the gifted, she learned to explain herself better to peers. This was a huge help working with others in group projects.
All in all, this book was a success with all three children and the results a definite improvement in their interactions with others.

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May 13, 2011 Danyelle Leafty rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: bookshelf-2011

101 Success Secrets
Christine Fonseca
189 pages
giftedness/nonfiction
Review copy from publisher

Okay. How to put into words the awesomeness that is this book.

First off, while the target audience is kids that have been identified as gifted, this book is applicable to so many more people--both kids and adults.

The format is fun and highly interactive. There are words of wisdom from gifted kids sprinkled through out, and the sections are short and snappy. At the end of every chapter is a Parents Sound...more 101 Success Secrets
Christine Fonseca
189 pages
giftedness/nonfiction
Review copy from publisher

Okay. How to put into words the awesomeness that is this book.

First off, while the target audience is kids that have been identified as gifted, this book is applicable to so many more people--both kids and adults.

The format is fun and highly interactive. There are words of wisdom from gifted kids sprinkled through out, and the sections are short and snappy. At the end of every chapter is a Parents Sound Off section that gives parents the opportunity to show kids where they're coming from. There are also What Do You Think? sections following the Parents Sounding Off where the reader can crystalize what they've learned. This section contains questions the readers can ask themselves for even better understanding of the section and themselves. There are also tip sheets, quizzes, and questions and answers.

So why do I love this book? Because I'm a highly intense person with highly intense, children who are incredibly smart. This books speaks to the kids--to, not down--on how to manage the traits that come with being gifted, high intensity being a hallmark trait. The book points out that their brains are wired differently, so while some of the traits can be hard to manage at times, there's nothing wrong with this.

As the book says, it's filled with 101 secrets to succeeding, and one of the first steps is understanding what it means to be gifted and embracing it. And that's really what the success secrets all boil down to: understanding yourself, accepting yourself, and embracing yourself.

Kids need more books like this. :)

But 101SS isn't simply a feel good book. Many of the sections give ideas and suggestions on how the reader can change their perceptions and actions so the intensity and giftedness works for them, not against them. And doing this takes work. 101SS deals with the reader on a personal level, as well as hitting topics dealing with school life, friends, and family.

101SS is geared toward gifted kids, but I believe it can benefit adults and highly intense people as well. I would definitely recommend this to anyone regardless of age.(less)

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Aug 27, 2011 Lbaker rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, non-fiction, childrens-youth

I entered the draw for this book although my children - both gifted are older than the 8 - 12 year old recommended age.

As I read parts about the ups and downs, the pressure, the anger, the "I'm not really smart, I can't be I don't get this!" I was so glad that my daughters are older. However, so much still applies and can be used for my 17 year old who still struggles sometimes; don't we all?

This book is laid out in a very straight forward manner, easy to find things.

I will probably be donating...more

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Jan 04, 2013 Jehnie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: non-fiction

It has good suggestions but is geared toward a middle school student. We're not there yet.

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Nov 02, 2011 Jodi Boulier marked it as to-read

Being gifted is special and I found a lot of great advice in Christine's book. Working with children on this level is new to me and I just got my CNA license and was assigned to a in home health care center with children who are gifted. I am very lucky I won the book and am using it and sharing it with my co workers who are teaching me things that should be easy. But they aren't. Christine puts a great overview on the subjects from 1 to 101 in each category. I haven't read it all but have read m...more

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Apr 30, 2011 Medeia Sharif rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2011

Christine Fonseca does it again in her second book about giftedness. This book is full of advice and tips for gifted students on how to deal with stress, get along with others, and avoid the trap of perfectionism. It seems like no stone is left unturned as the author covers every facet of a gifted child’s life. The book is easy to read and is organized into sections regarding school, friends, and family. Also, there are quizzes and tip sheets that are beneficial to young readers.

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May 17, 2011 Jen rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: any gifted kid or anyone raising/teaching a gifted kid

Shelves: non-fiction, gifted

Loved this book. Well-written and easily accessible to parents and kids alike. So as to not repeat myself ad nauseum, I have a full review on my blog: Laughing at Chaos

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May 13, 2011 Nisa79 rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is amazing! These success secrets aren't just for gifted kids, though especially for them, they can be life-changing for adults and children alike. I highly recommend this book.

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Jun 04, 2011 Shannon Baas rated it 5 of 5 stars

I thought this was a very good book. I am going to school to get my elementary ed degree and will be holding on to this for the future.

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About Christine Fonseca

Critically acclaimed nonfiction and YA author Christine Fonseca is dedicated to helping children of all ages find their voice in the world. Drawing on her expertise as an educational psychologist, her nonfiction titles address issues of emotional intensity, resiliency and giftedness. In fiction, she explores the darker aspects of humanity and delivers gothic thrillers that take you on a rollercoas...more

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