Manifesto of the Gifted Girl by Joan Franklin Smutny

"This book touched my heart." Gabrielle, aged 9

"A small gem...an instant classic in the field." Professor Stephen T. Schroth

"..presents a refreshing, liberating perspective for girls." Kathryn P. Haydon

"I highly recommend this book for use in the gifted classroom, the homeschooling environment, and as a gift of confidence from parent to child."  Dr Maurice D. Fisher

Manifesto of the Gifted Girl reaches out to girls and women in all walks of life and in every kind of circumstance.  It strengthens, inspires and counsels those are are struggling to find their place in school and society, as well as those who are launching out on their own for the first time. 

Framed with the voices of the girls themselves, the book is conversational in style and written so that both girls and young women, together with their advocates (parents, older friends, mentors), can gain strength and hope from the messages contained in the book.

This is an important book for understanding and supporting gifted girls. Heavily illustrated with images of women and girls in art and history.

Dr Smutny is founder and director of The Center for Gifted (which is a partner with National-Louis University, Evanston, Illinois), and a winner of the NAGC Distinguished Service Award for outstanding contribution to the field of education. 

See also, by the same author, Reclaiming the Lives of Gifted Girls and Women

REVIEWS:

As a gifted girl, I related to just about everything in this book…reading "Manifesto of the Gifted Girl" was uplifting, raising me out of a sometimes oppressive world to stand securely on my own two feet and declare that I can be great. Clara, a freshman at the University of Iowa.

 In our society, we are often pummeled with stereotypical images of who we "should" be. Girls are especially vulnerable with the air-brushed images of "perfection" paraded before them in magazines, and pop culture stars that emphasize body over brains. Manifesto of the Gifted Girlpresents a refreshing, liberating perspective for girls, highlighting women role models in history and exploring a wide spectrum of concerns and needs of real girls. This book will help every deep-thinking girl discover who she is, and learn that it is not only OK, but right, to be herself. Kathryn P. Haydon, Teacher & Founder, Ignite Creative Learning Studio, Ojai, CA

 The three parts of this book directly relate to how girls should go about living out their gifted abilities. I really love the part that says, "I am different from a lot of girls, but I still want to feel part of a community". She knows how young girls think and what they should do about things like this. Joan Smutny is an inspiration to all who read this. Lauren, High School student

 This book touched my heart. The Manifesto of a Gifted Girl by Joan Smutny is about how special you are not as just as a person, but as a girl. When I read this book, I came down stairs and cried in my mom’s arms. My favorite part was at the end of the book when Ms. Joan talked about all the women that accomplished something that no one else had done as a woman…I give this book five out of five stars. This book inspired me to be the first to cure cancer or progeria. Thank you Ms. Joan. Gabrielle Rose Sharp, aged 9

 …This inspirational and informative book, Manifesto of the Gifted Girl (2010) is a very attractive discussion of three major areas concerned with academic, social and educational development. I should emphasize that the format, graphics and illustrations are excellent and clearly highlight the three major sections:

Part I emphasizes that gifted girls should follow their own interests and motivations to decide upon their life goals and careers…

Part II discusses many of the characteristics that gifted girls must have to reach their highest academic and life goals…

Part III is the culmination of the two previous sections, since it concentrates upon how gifted girls can attain their life goals, and make important contributions to all endeavors by applying their knowledge and self-understanding with confidence…

Both the author and publisher should be congratulated on the synergy that obviously occurred between them in producing this book. As the result of this synergy, the Manifesto of the Gifted Girl provides all girls who have the potential for outstanding accomplishments with the encouragement and resources to achieve their goals. I highly recommend this book for use in the gifted classroom, the homeschooling environment, and as a gift of confidence from parent to child. Maurice D. Fisher, PhD. Publisher (Gifted Education Press) and Educational Psychologist  

Many gifted and talented girls and young women experience moments when they strain to find their way and others when they strive to exert their independence. In Manifesto of the Gifted Girl, Joan Franklin Smutny delivers a small gem that provides guidance, grounding, goals, and grace to girls and young women coming to terms with their gifts. In thirty pages, this wonderful book helps gifted girls come to understand their talents and identify what supports they need to thrive. Beautifully written and illustrated, Manifesto of the Gifted Girl also allows gifted girls a glimpse of their future, using quotations from accomplished women, some historical and some contemporary, to provide inspiration and impetuous. An instant classic in the field, the book is necessary reading for every gifted girl and young woman and those who help nurture their talents. Professor Stephen T. Schroth, Knox College

I come from a family of gifted individuals so as I turned the pages of this brilliantly written book by the prolific author, Joan Smutny; I found the gifts of all of my sisters’ lives written within the pages this profound book. Manifesto of the Gifted Girl is a gift to gifted girls of any age. This book is a discovery of identity for individuals whose gifts have been lost and are waiting to found and given to others. Gail Arnold, Chicago teacher