Ungifted
Scholastic Canada 2014
Great fit for 5th grade
Reading level and content both target 4th–8th grade · ages 9–14
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Genre
Themes
- friendship
- belonging
- identity
- consequences
- school life
- STEM and robotics
- empathy
- teamwork
About this book
When a legendary troublemaker accidentally lands at a school for the highly gifted, he must rely on quick thinking and heart rather than test scores to fit in. Donovan’s everyday-kid perspective shakes up a world of genius students, leading to funny mishaps, new friendships, and unexpected strengths. With humor, short chapters, and multiple viewpoints, it’s a fast, relatable read for grades 4–8. Kids enjoy the laugh-out-loud moments, robotics angle, and the message that everyone brings something valuable to the team.
Setting: a contemporary U.S. suburb at a public middle school and a selective academy for gifted students
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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 friendship, belonging, identity.
How long does it take to read Ungifted?
At a typical 5th grade reading pace, Ungifted takes around 6.7h to finish. The book has 66,000 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.