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Ungifted [Hardcover]

Gordon Korman
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)

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2013 Children's Book Award Winners
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Book Description

August 21, 2012 8 and up

The word gifted has never been applied to a kid like Donovan Curtis. It's usually more like Don't try this at home. So when the troublemaker pulls a major prank at his middle school, he thinks he's finally gone too far. But thanks to a mix-up by one of the administrators, instead of getting in trouble, Donovan is sent to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction (ASD), a special program for gifted and talented students.

It wasn't exactly what Donovan had intended, but there couldn't be a more perfect hideout for someone like him. That is, if he can manage to fool people whose IQs are above genius level. And that becomes harder and harder as the students and teachers of ASD grow to realize that Donovan may not be good at math or science (or just about anything). But after an ongoing experiment with a live human (sister), an unforgettably dramatic middle-school dance, and the most astonishing come-from-behind robot victory ever, Donovan shows that his gifts might be exactly what the ASD students never knew they needed.


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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 5-8-Donovan Curtis is an impulse-driven prankster who, at the start of Ungifted, manages to alienate both the students and faculty of his middle school. First he mocks the basketball team over the school PA system with a derisive cheer and then he whacks the school's statue of Atlas with a stick, knocking the huge globe off and sending it rolling down the hill where it smashes into the gymnasium and stops the big game. When Donovan ends up on the carpet, the district superintendent accidentally adds his name to the roll of gifted students at the Academy for Scholastic Distinction. Although he flounders at his new school, Donovan ends up humanizing a program that focuses on academic achievement and ignores the social aspects of students' success. From his first day when he startles the robotics team by naming their robot, to his saving the class from summer school by drafting his pregnant sister as the answer to a missed credit in Human Development, Donovan finds that his gift lies in helping the smart kids by teaching them how to be "normal." Using an ancestor who survived the Titanic as inspiration, Donovan has a goofy kindness that charms characters and readers alike. Reminiscent of Stanley Yelnats and Joey Pigza, he careens through life much like the out-of-control globe from Atlas's statue. The story is told from the points of view of various characters (each chapter titled with an Un-word), and readers hear from teachers and administrators, students-both gifted and not-and family members. The message is tolerance, and Korman expertly and humorously delivers it in an unpretentious and universally appealing tale.-Jane Barrer, Steinway Intermediate School, New York Cityα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Review

“Touching, without being overly sentimental, Ungifted is a gem for readers looking for a story where the underdog comes out on top.” (Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA))

“From its lovable-robot jacket art to its satisfying conclusion, this will please Korman’s fans and win him new ones.” (ALA Booklist)

“Donovan has a goofy kindness that charms characters and readers alike … The message is tolerance, and Korman expertly and humorously delivers it in an unpretentious and universally appealing tale.” (School Library Journal)

“Funny and insightful.” (Publishers Weekly)

Praise for POP: “A brisk, heartfelt and timely novel.” (New York Times Book Review)

Praise for POP: “Korman goes straight to the heart.” (Kirkus Reviews (starred review))

Praise for POP: “Thought-provoking.” (Publishers Weekly)

Product Details

  • Age Range: 8 and up
  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Balzer + Bray; 1 edition (August 21, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 006174266X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061742668
  • Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,383 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

It has detail,suspense,action ,and drama. twice a parent  |  8 reviewers made a similar statement
This is a good book for 4th-6th graders. Sawyer  |  11 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
29 of 38 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars Reinforces untrue stereotypes about gifted kids January 24, 2013
Format:Hardcover
This book has such a great premise -- a highly impulsive student accidentally gets placed in a program for gifted students -- that I couldn't wait to read it. I was so disappointed at the portrayal of gifted kids in this book, and wonder if Korman has ever actually set foot in a gifted school so he can understand these complicated kids. Many gifted kids don't even know they're gifted, and most don't know their IQ, but every chapter starts with a person's name and IQ score. IQ is a great place to begin to understand intelligence, but a lousy place to end, and the education of gifted children encompasses social and emotional needs that reach beyond a number and the stereotypical nerd persona that Korman clings to in this book. The storyline wanted to be funny, but reached for that at the expense of credibility. That, combined with the horrendous stereotyping, destroyed any redeeming features the book had.
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Gordon Korman's gift to us all September 6, 2012
Format:Hardcover
A few months ago, my school had an author visit us. We had the pleasure of hosting Gordon Korman, and he discussed a book called Ungifted with us, even showing us an ARC of it. He didn't tell us much about the book, other than that it was about an "ungifted" kid sent to the wrong school...oh, yeah, and about robots. I instantly made a resolution to read it. Why? Well, that cover is simply irresistible. And secondly, telling someone you're going to mention their school in your book is an extremely good way to get that person to read your book.

Ungifted is, partly, about robots, but it's so much more than that. Our ungifted hero, Donovan Curtis, has never been a star student. In fact, he's just pulled his latest prank on the middle school--however accidental it may have been. But in a miraculous twist of fate, the school makes a mistake. Instead of getting into trouble, Donovan is headed to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction. His goal there? Attempt to blend in with the geniuses there, while hiding as the culprit behind his prank that got him into the whole mess in the first place.

This book has a bit of everything in it: it's got action, a heavy dose of humor, and some seriously great characters. Donovan is a character who I think we can all relate to. Of course, he's a troublemaker, but surely everyone has felt ungifted at least once in their lives. Then there's Donovan's quirky teacher, Mr. Osborne, who, trust me, is every kid's dream teacher. Then you have Chloe, and Abigail, and Noah, and Katie...all these supporting characters make for a great reading experience. Not to mention, there are some truly laugh-out-loud moments in here! And...how did I forget the robot?! Ungifted takes the prize for Most Lovable Robot I Have Read In A Book This Year.
... Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest book ever! June 17, 2013
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book was funny,heartfelt and a little weird at the same time. I would recommend this book to anybody with a quirky sense of humor.
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4.0 out of 5 stars Great Summer Read June 17, 2013
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
As an educator at a private school for students with learning differences, this story hits home for my kids. Korman questions what makes a student "gifted" and what happens when that qualification is thrown out. The characters are real and the plot is believable and appropriate for middle grade readers. The perspective change is well done and adds dynamic layers to the storyline. Not necessarily a life changing novel, but one that should be included in the must read list for pre/teens.
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5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing book June 11, 2013
By Jolie
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I give this book five stars. Donovan Curtis is in the gifted program by mistake(read the book to figure out why!) He trys to fit in but that doesn't work out(read the book to figure out why!) His teachers notice and make a huge deal. His robotics teacher trys to defend him but can't back up why he defends him. Read the book to find out what happens to Donovan Curtis.
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Format:Hardcover
My grandson laughed out loud as he read this book and refused to let me read even a page until he had finished. It is his favorite book of the year. (He read 40 + this school year.)

Those who question education's present reliance on standardized tests as a determinant of academic excellence and not of test taking ability, will enjoy this.

The picture of the gifted as socially misfit may offend many. But others will delight in their problem solving abilities based on knowledge and their ability to appreciate the practical, if often, anti-social problem solving abilities of the *ungifted* hero.

Korman has the ability to take *trends* and upend them. He likes children.

The lesson plan on human development and the pregnant subject's (the hero's sister) reliance on the *gifted* children's ability to provide quicker medical information to her than her * health providers* merits 5 stars alone.

My personal bias is towards realizing that some people are more academically talented than others and that they should be given support and encouragement. However, this obsession with testing as a determinative of academic ability is highly damaging. And it is worthy of the scalding that Korman gives it.

The truly gifted are intellectually creative and have highly developed *intuition* and that quality is elusive in testing.

And then there is the quality of perseverance and invention which propels so many *ungifted* to distinguished contributions. Delightful book!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!!!!
This book shows excitement and shows how different isn't always bad. Also it was filled with action and how a boy can do anything. That is if you are brave enough.
Published 23 days ago by K. Young
4.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining
I thought that "Ungifted" was a great book and had a great story and plot. It was a very funny book.
Published 23 days ago by Joshua Herring
5.0 out of 5 stars suprising
when i had bought this book i was not expecting much .it is a great plot and idea the author has an element of surprise and an amazing story telling ability . Read more
Published 1 month ago by cant stop
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing book!
I know a book is good when I can't put it down. Even though some parts were quite exaggerated, this was an amazingly good job of Gordon Korman. I loved Ungifted. Read more
Published 1 month ago by rita doyle
3.0 out of 5 stars Fun premise, but too predictable
My 7th grade students like it better than I did, so that is a good thing! The notion that the 'gifted' kids learned to take more risks was a valuable message, and had great... Read more
Published 1 month ago by 7th Grade Writing Teacher
5.0 out of 5 stars Great!!!
This tells the story of a boy who grew up with very little, not a very good education, and a strange urge to mess up everything. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Taylor
5.0 out of 5 stars Ungifted
This was a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone who thinks it looks good. And happy reading!
Published 1 month ago by Hannah Wheaton
5.0 out of 5 stars Ungifted
Ungifted
Gordon Korman

Donovan Curtis is plain. Average. Normal. He gets C's and occasionally B's. Read more
Published 2 months ago
5.0 out of 5 stars Best
It was a really great book. I loved how it changed to different point of view of the students and teachers.
Published 2 months ago by angela bogota
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