The School for the Insanely Gifted
on Goodreads (304)
What’s inside...
Eleven-year-old musical genius Daphna Whispers embarks on a global journey to find her missing mother, only to uncover a shocking secret about the Blatt School for the Insanely Gifted, where she is a student. At a young age, Daphna showcased her exceptional musical talents by composing sonatas and operas. As a student at the prestigious Blatt School, she is now roped into an international expedition after discovering that her mother's disappearance was not an accident but linked to a hidden truth about the school and herself.
Age
8-12
Length
304 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Daphna Whispers
Cynthia Trustwell
Harkin Thunken
Discussion points
What special talent would you like to have and why?
How do you think Daphna and Harkin felt when they faced challenges at the school? Have you ever felt similar?
Why is teamwork important when solving problems, as seen in the story?
If you could invent something to help people, what would it be and how would it work?
How do the characters in the book show that being different is a strength?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to connect their own experiences and aspirations with those of the characters. Discuss the importance of embracing and nurturing unique talents. Validate their feelings by sharing your own experiences related to overcoming challenges and working in teams. Promote creativity by brainstorming fun, innovative ideas together, and discuss how these could help others.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing uniqueness
Explanation: The characters in 'The School for the Insanely Gifted' are celebrated for their unique talents, demonstrating the importance of appreciating individual differences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value their own and others' unique abilities, promoting self-esteem and fostering an inclusive environment in school and at home.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters must collaborate to solve problems, highlighting the effectiveness of working together.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the significance of cooperation and teamwork in achieving common goals, whether in classroom projects or in sports.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: The protagonists encounter numerous obstacles which they overcome with perseverance, illustrating resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by not giving up when faced with difficulties in their studies or personal projects, understanding that persistence is key to success.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem-solving
Explanation: The students at the school use their intellectual abilities to tackle complex problems, emphasizing the value of critical thinking and creativity.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to approach their own challenges creatively, using critical thinking to find innovative solutions.