While certain tasks or assignments may come easier for gifted students, it does not mean that they do not struggle or have setbacks. In many cases, due to the very high expectations gifted students set for themselves, they can face even greater challenges than other students. It is also a misconception that gifted students have a clear path set out for their future from a young age. Thus, it is important for these advanced learners to be able to read accounts of the challenges (academically and personally), inspirations and ultimately, triumphs of some the worlds鈥� most influential people.

Here鈥檚 a list of inspiring books about individuals who have made contributions in the areas of science, technology, literature and music:

Bill Gates is the co-founder of the Microsoft Corporation and philanthropist.

Book: Who is Bill Gates? (2013)听 by Patricia Brennan Demulth (author) and Ted Hammond (illustrator) details how a persistent and gifted young boy from Seattle became one of the leading entrepreneurs of the personal computer revolution. For younger readers.

Joshua Bell is an acclaimed violinist who made his听听debut at age 17 with the听. He has since performed with many of the world’s major orchestras and conductors and has recorded more than 30 classical albums.

Book: The Dance of the Violin (2017) by听听(author) and 听(illustrator) tells the story of a young Joshua Bell who challenges himself to play a difficult听 piece of music at an international competition. During the performance he makes a mistake, but garners the courage to start again and put forth his best effort.听 For younger readers.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez was a Columbian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist affectionately known as Gabo or Gabito. He won the Nobel Prize winner for Literature in 1982 and is considered one of the most significant authors of the 20th century.

Book: My Name is Gabito (2007) by Monica Brown (author) and Raul Colon (illustrator) beautifully chronicles Gabriel Garcia Marquez鈥檚 life from his childhood in Columbia to his later years as a celebrated author.听 For younger readers.

Sally Ride Ph.D was an American听physicist听and听astronaut. In 1983 she became the first U.S. woman to go into space.

Book: Sally Ride: America鈥檚 First Woman in Space (2014) by听听recounts the story of the woman who broke gender barriers at NASA and went on to found Sally Ride Science, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting STEM literacy for young people. For teens and above (LGBT issues discussed).

Jane Goodall is a primatologist and听anthropologist. Considered to be the world’s foremost expert on听chimpanzees, she is best known for her over 55-year study of social and family interactions of wild chimpanzees in Tanzania.

Book: Jane Goodall: The Woman Who Redefined Man (2008) by Dale Peterson details the triumphs and setbacks of Goodall鈥檚 life, including the private quest that led to her now-famous activism. For teens and above.

Carl Sagan Ph.D was an astronomer, writer, and creator of the television series, Cosmos that helped popularize science.

Book: Carl Sagan: A Life in the Cosmos (1999) by William Poundstone recounts the life of a gifted young man whose interest in the stars and life on other planets propelled him to become science’s first authentic media superstar, making science accessible to the general public. For teens and above.

You can find more inspiring role models in the book, , Maurice E. Fisher Ph.D & Eugenia M. Fisher, Ed.D, Editors and Michael E. Walters, Ed.D & Harry T. Roman, M.S., Senior Writers.

Tell us who inspires you by sending your own book recommendations!

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Podcasts are an excellent source of entertainment and challenge; they keep us alert on the commute home, amused while waiting at the doctor鈥檚 office and entertained before falling asleep. At 优蜜视频, we are discovering that podcasts can also be an excellent alternative source of information for our brightest minds. Plus, we know that your kids, who constantly crave information, are going to be looking for cool things to learn about over the holiday break from school. As our gift to you this holiday season, we present our five favorite podcasts for the gifted child.

1. 60-Second Science
听 听 听 听 听听

In this podcast, Scientific American provides daily, one-minute commentary on some of the most interesting developments in the field of science.

We recommend:

Full length podcasts of this type are also available at .

2. Astronomy Cast
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A facts-based journey through the cosmos while telling the story of astronomy earns this podcast high ratings. Although they haven鈥檛 produced a new recording in over a year, Frasier Cane, publisher at Universe Today, and Pamela Gay, professor at Southern Illinois University, have provided enough mental nourishment to last a long, long time.

We recommend:
: A podcast relaying the little-known facts surrounding Newton鈥檚 life and extracurricular accomplishments. We learn that Newton had a difficult childhood as a twice-exceptional student. And, in his adult years, he was so committed to an experiment that he jammed a knitting needle into his eye to explain how optics worked!

3. MinutePhysics
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This podcast is accurately described as 鈥渃ool physics and other sweet science鈥攁ll in a minute!鈥� Not to mention, you鈥檒l be in for a good laugh.

We recommend:

4. Merriam-Webster鈥檚 Word of the Day
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Each day, a Merriam-Webster editor offers insight into a fascinating new word鈥攅xplaining its meaning, current use, and little-known details about its origin. These definitions and roots may surprise you!

We recommend:
鈥淗ypermnesia鈥�: A word that certainly describes some of the gifted students we serve!

5. The Stuff of Genius
听 听 听 听 听听

Every invention starts out as an idea, and it only takes a bit of genius to make it a reality. 鈥淭he Stuff of Genius鈥� is a podcast from howstuffworks.com. They describe the inception and process of a particular invention each podcast.

We recommend:

Although we鈥檝e yet to relish every episode on our favorite podcast list, these are some of the episodes that stood out most to us. Come wander into the rabbit hole of podcast information with us!

Does your child have a favorite podcast? How have podcasts been a source of interest and learning for your family? Please share in the comment section below!

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