Gifted and Talented from A-Z by Jacquie Buttriss and Ann Callander is a valuable and practical source of information for schools and other professionals. In effect it is an accessible work of reference which gathers together a wealth of material of interest to schools, G&T coordinators, advisory staff and other professionals requiring an overview of the trends, materials and organisations supporting more able learners in Great Britain today.  In clear and non-technical language, the text sets out ‘comprehensive listings and definitions of common terms used in the education of more able pupils.’ There are main sections comprising:

• a comprehensive glossary of terms;
• a Who’s Who of major activists and thinkers in the field (including useful cross referencing of their ideas and materials);
• an useful itemisation of organisations, their contact details and the support they offer to schools and carers seeking to provide for their able young people;
• a bibliographical section on books, educational resources, software and magazines available to develop and inform the learning of the more able;
• the addresses, websites and areas of interest of publishers worldwide with an interest in/catalogue of materials supporting high ability;
• an itemised compilation of websites supporting more able learners.

In fewer than 120 pages this inexpensive paperback facilitates straightforward access to a range of material that is difficult to find in one volume elsewhere. As an advisor for more able children in the 1990s this book would have saved me hours of independent investigation and research. There is a role for at least one copy of this work in every school and I recommend it to headteachers, subject/area leaders, librarians and consultants. Though professional in focus, this is also a book which parents seeking to find support for their youngsters would find both useful and informative.

Clive Tunnicliffe