
competition privilege vs prestige? What role does privilege play in this story? What about ambition? Insecurity? How do the ambitions of some of the characters relate to prestige?ĥ. How does the novel make you think about intelligence vs.

Do you understand the general anxieties of this community of parents? Why do they feel so competitive about this school, given the fact that their children are already doing well in the previously available institutions? If you do consider the parents' motivations and intentions justified, do you also understand the behaviors that follow? What would you have done in a similar situation?Ĥ. What are their responses to the pressures placed on them by their parental figures? In what ways do their families shape their behavior? Who among them will thrive as an adult?ģ.

What is your opinion of the children? Discuss the characters of Emma Z, Emma Q, Zander, Tessa, Atik, and twins Aidan and Charlie. What is your opinion of the families at the center of The Gifted School? Do you have different opinions about the various sets of parents: Rose and Gareth, Samantha and Kevin, Beck and Azra, Ch'ayna and Silea, and Lauren? If so, with whom do you sympathize most? Who do you relate to? Who is most at fault? Who do you think are the best parents for their children overall?Ģ. "A (hilariously) timely book explores the lengths to which privileged parents will go to get their kids a top education."-New York Postġ. "Bright, and expertly observed." - Town & Country A deeply pleasurable read." - Meg Wolitzer, New York Times-bestselling author of The Female Persuasion


"Like Big Little Lies with standardized testing, this addictive novel digs hard into the culture of striving parents and anxious children, exploring privilege, competition and the elusiveness of happiness. " timely and relevant read for the summer." Critical Praise:"Bruce Holsinger's The Gifted School is a propulsive story about class and parental one-upmanship." - Real Simple
