Ungifted

Donovan Curtis is a middle school troublemaker who accidentally gets placed in a gifted program after a paperwork mix-up. Following a destructive prank at his regular school, a superintendent's error lands him at the Academy for Scholastic Distinction (ASD), where he hopes to lay low and avoid consequences. At ASD, Donovan finds himself surrounded by highly intelligent students who approach life differently than he does. His presence begins to alter the dynamics of the gifted program, while his classmates' influence on him reveals unexpected connections and abilities. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, showing how Donovan navigates between his old life and new situation at ASD. His pregnant sister, his robotics class, and the constant threat of discovery create mounting tension as he tries to maintain his precarious position. This middle-grade novel explores themes of intelligence, identity, and the various ways people can contribute to a community. It challenges conventional definitions of giftedness while examining the value of different types of skills and perspectives.

Readers connect with the multiple character perspectives and realistic portrayal of middle school social dynamics. Many note the book's humor and appreciate how it tackles serious themes about education and intelligence without becoming preachy. Likes: - Strong character development, especially Donovan's growth - Balance of funny moments with meaningful messages - Authentic portrayal of gifted programs and robotics - Appeals to both advanced and reluctant readers Dislikes: - Some found the premise unrealistic - A few readers wanted more depth from secondary characters - Pacing drags in middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (17,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (850+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Reader quote: "As a gifted education teacher, I appreciate how Korman shows both sides - the pressure gifted kids face and the struggles of students who learn differently." - Goodreads reviewer The book resonates particularly well with middle school students and teachers who work with gifted programs.

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🎯 Gordon Korman wrote his first book, "This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall," at age 12 as a seventh-grade English project. 📚 With over 100 books published and more than 35 million copies in print, Korman has become one of North America's most prolific children's authors. 🧠 The concept of IQ testing and gifted programs, central to "Ungifted," began in 1905 when French psychologist Alfred Binet developed the first intelligence test. 🏫 Only about 6% of U.S. students are enrolled in gifted education programs, making the Academy of Scholastic Distinction in the novel a particularly exclusive setting. 🌟 "Ungifted" was inspired by Korman's school visits, where he noticed that students in gifted programs often struggled with tasks that came naturally to their "regular" peers.