Ungifted by Gordon Korman (18-Feb-2014) Paperback – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Ungifted by Gordon Korman (18-Feb-2014) Paperback

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2014

89%

WISE Score

5.0

Amazon

A middle-school wrecking ball accidentally gets dropped into a school for geniuses, and honestly, the geniuses needed the chaos.

Ungifted by Gordon Korman (18-Feb-2014) Paperback

book

2014

89%

WISE Score

5.0

Amazon

A middle-school wrecking ball accidentally gets dropped into a school for geniuses, and honestly, the geniuses needed the chaos.

5.0

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Screenwise Verdict

Gordon Korman is basically the GOAT of middle-grade fiction, and Ungifted is one of his best. It’s been out since 2014, but the social dynamics of middle school haven't changed one bit.

It’s a great pick for 'reluctant readers' because it doesn't feel like homework. It’s smart, it’s fast, and it treats its characters like real people instead of tropes. If your kid feels like they don't fit the 'perfect student' mold, this book is going to be a huge hit. It's a solid 89 because it’s a modern classic that kids actually enjoy reading.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 9 to 13 crowd. It hits that sweet spot for kids who are starting to feel the pressure of school labels but still want a story that’s fast-paced and funny.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It's a refreshing take on the 'misfit' trope. The story emphasizes that being a good person and having social intelligence is just as valuable as having a high IQ. It models growth and genuine connection between very different types of kids.

Imaginative

The robotics competition subplot and the creative ways Donovan navigates the Academy keep the plot moving. It encourages kids to think outside the box and see how different skills can solve the same problem.

Safe

Extremely safe for the target age group. The 'danger' is limited to a middle school prank that goes wrong (breaking a statue) and some mild school-yard verbal sparring. No heavy triggers or inappropriate content.

Enriching

Excellent for developing empathy. It challenges the labels schools put on kids—'gifted' vs 'average'—and shows that everyone has something to offer. It's a great 'bridge' book for kids who think they don't like reading.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Gordon Korman actually knows how to write middle-schoolers without making them sound like 40-year-olds or toddlers.
It makes robotics and 'nerd stuff' feel high-stakes and genuinely cool.
The multiple perspectives let kids see the same events through different eyes, which is a stealthy way to teach empathy.
It’s genuinely funny—not 'parent-approved funny,' but actually laugh-out-loud for a 11-year-old.

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What to Watch For

Donovan's initial prank causes a lot of expensive damage; some kids might find the lack of 'real' punishment unrealistic or inspiring.
The 'gifted' kids are initially portrayed as stereotypes (socially awkward, robotic) before they get humanized.

Conversation Starters

"Donovan isn't 'gifted' in school subjects, but what are his actual gifts?"
"Why did the kids at the Academy need someone like Donovan to shake things up?"
"If you were a genius, what's the one 'normal' thing you think you'd be terrible at?"
"Was it right for Donovan to hide out at the school, or should he have faced the music for the statue incident?"

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