Accidental Genius

by Kevin James Kearney, Kearney Cassidy

Experienced home schoolers, Kevin and Cassidy Kearney explain in an easy-to-read guide-- packed with examples-- how you can take charge of the education of your gifted/special needs children. Experts Kevin and Cassidy Kearney show How you can have a more normal home life by tapping and redirecting the boundless hyper-energy of brilliant children... 14 undocumented characteristics of the highly gifted that put them at risk for being mislabeled as Learning Disabled or ADD/ADHD... How smart girls are at special risk of not reaching their potential... How children with high intellectual capacity are at great risk of developing destructive behaviors... How to make a brighter future for your own pint-sized genius!

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Irina Goldberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall this was a valuable and unique window into the education of Michael Kearney. My only criticisms are (1) the lack of editing in the last two chapters and (2) the fact that the parents chose to take turns narrating. This double narration caused a lot of unnecessary repetition and inconsistency. I preferred the mother's voice. The dad's voice was less balanced and more hostile.

I am very glad this book exists and I am always on the lookout for similar educational memoirs. This is a unique topic and I am thankful to Michael's parents for writing it.

[Tim · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quasi-enjoyable read. I'm rating two stars because the writing felt disjointed and lacked perhaps the one thing that could have redeemed it: specifics of how Kevin achieved. Graduating early is one thing, but "not skipping a single grade" and entering college at age 6 when he only "started school two years early" left much to the imagination.

The title of the book, "Accidental Genius" must have been chosen by the publisher, because in two different passages within the book, the authors deride the word "genus." On the other hand, they also deride the use of the word "gifted" in the book and then use it profusely throughout.

I tended to agree with many of their sentiments on education, but without specifics, these sentiments come off as bromidic. Actually, it seems the entire book was more of a perfunctory effort.

It was still enjoyable for me, but I enjoy reading these types of stories. Of similar genre are the books "We Can Do," by Moshe Kai and "The Spark" about Jake Barnett written by her mother. "The Spark" was an especially enjoyable read, and if you liked "Accidental Genius," then you'd absolutely love "The Spark."

[Avis Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are people who don't like this book. I do. I think it's a first-rate account of the problems and complications involved in raising a very gifted child.