By Bruce HolsingerIf any parents needed a reason NOT to enroll their child in a public school for gifted students, this book would be it! Four women (and their respective husbands) have been close friends since their children (now 11) were babies in a swimming class in their tony Colorado suburb. When news gets out that their school system is planning to open a new middle and high school for the most gifted 1% of students in their county, all of the parents are keen to get their bright kids admitted. Admission is by test and a portfolio exhibiting their applicant's exceptional ability in a specific area. As with many such communities, it is the parents who stage the competition while their kids barely seem to care. Decade-old friendships are under siege and secrets are exposed as the race is on. One of the 11-year-olds has an older sister who posts a video blog (which she is unaware has gone public) with some very comprising information about all of the families (she babysits for all of them), while her younger brother (who is mathematically bright but socially challenged) puts together a portfolio containing startling, hurtful information.
This fairly lengthy book (452 pp) is loaded with vignettes that entertain as they typify wealthy Americans and their obsession to live their lives through their children. It's fair to assume that these parents likely regretted the day they signed up their children to compete for placement in the gifted school, and one outcome is that their relationships are forever changed. As for their kids, it was fun to see who, if any, of the children would gain admittance in this humorous, yet poignant, modern novel.
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