Talent searches are discussed in this journal theme issue, with two feature articles and several recurring columns. "Talent Search: A Driving Force in Gifted Education," by Paula Olszewski-Kubilius, defines what a talent search is, how the Talent Search was developed by Dr. Julian Stanley at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, the benefits of talent searches, research that supports talent search practices, the impact of talent search on general education, and the future of talent search programs. "University-Based Talent Searches for the Gifted," by Mark R. DeLong, describes the four regional talent search programs (Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, University of Denver, and Northwestern University) that have confederated their efforts in elementary and middle school ability identification and educational programming. In a special feature titled "My Best Summer," Michael Leviton describes his participation as a student in a Center for Talented Youth summer program. Regular columns present information on preventing underachievement in gifted students, problems that occur when schools do not recognize children's specific talents and interests, magnet schools as an ongoing talent search, literature resources, the need to recognize talents such as empathy, talent searches and the highly gifted, issues in development of talent search programs, and use of fairy tales to enhance creative thinking. (JDD)