Judith Wynn Halsted, M.S.

Author of:

Some of My Best Friends Are Books, Guiding Gifted Readers from Preschool to High School (3rd Edition)

Judith Wynn Halsted has retired from a long career in education. After majoring in English and earning a teaching certificate, she completed a Master’s degree in Library Science at the University of Illinois. When her family moved to Traverse City, Michigan, she became the librarian at The Pathfinder School. While at Pathfinder, she developed and directed a program for gifted students. Her interest in the social and emotional development of gifted children rose from her experiences as the parent of two gifted sons. At the suggestion of Dr. James T. Webb, she combined the twin threads of her career path—gifted children and books—and published the first edition of her book, Guiding Gifted Readers, in 1988.

In 1985, Halsted founded Halsted Academic Advisors. Later, she became a Certified Educational Planner, helping families with gifted children of all ages make educational decisions, and guiding high school students through the college selection and application process. Updated editions of her book, titled Some of My Best Friends Are Books, were published in 1994, 2002, and 2009. She has written for journals in the field of gifted education, authoring the Judith Halsted on Books column in 2e: Twice Exceptional Newsletter.

Halsted’s free time, too, has focused on books and libraries. Her work as co-chair of a grass-roots group, Citizens for Libraries, resulted in a new district library, which in 1998 replaced the Carnegie library building that had served Traverse City since 1903. In retirement, she enjoys having more time for reading and music, as well as enjoying northern Michigan outdoors in all seasons, and most of all, her family—which now includes four grandchildren who keep alive her interest in children’s books.