Ungifted
Scholastic Canada 2012
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- identity and belonging
- friendship
- humor and mischief
- consequences and responsibility
- teamwork
- giftedness vs. real-world smarts
- acceptance
- STEM/robotics
About this book
Donovan Curtis is a regular kid whose talent for trouble lands him, by mistake, at a prestigious academy for the gifted. Surrounded by geniuses, he worries he’ll be exposed—until his unconventional strengths help a quirky robotics team and shake up the school’s ideas about what being ‘gifted’ really means. Fast-paced and funny, the story blends humor with heart as Donovan learns about responsibility, friendship, and finding where you belong. Great for middle graders who enjoy school stories with pranks, STEM touches, and plenty of laughs.
Setting: a contemporary suburban middle school and a selective academy for gifted students in the United States
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ungifted right for my child?
Yes — Ungifted is a great fit for 5th grade. The reading level is AR 5.2, which is typical for 5th grade. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 9–14 (4th–8th grade). Themes include identity and belonging, friendship, humor and mischief.
How long does it take to read Ungifted?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Ungifted takes around 6.8h to finish. The book has 67,000 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Ungifted have an AR quiz?
Yes — Ungifted has an AR quiz available, worth 8 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Ungifted?
Ungifted has an AR reading level of 5.2, which places it at a 5th grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Middle Grades (4–8) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.