Staff Review: "Ungifted" by Gordon Korman

Donovan Curtis is an average student with a self-control issue.  He is completely "Ungifted."  He's no stranger to punishment, thanks to his friends' dares and an intense love of pranking.  But when he destroys his school's expensive bronze statue and gymnasium, he knows it will be worse than anything he's experienced before.  The superintendent of the school district take Donovan to his office, but instead of writing his name down for later punishment, he writes Donovan's name on a list of gifted students.  Before he realizes what's going on, Donovan is moved to the Academy of Scholastic Distinction in a class full of geniuses.  His friends and family are not convinced that he has an above average intelligence.  He's failing miserably in every class but needs to stay at his new school to hide from the superintendent.  He may not be learning academics at his new school, but Donovan learns about teamwork and friendship.  In return, he teaches the gifted students that it's okay to have fun and get into a little trouble. 

Gordan Korman wrote his first book at only 12 years old, and was published when he was 14.  His goal when writing books is simply to entertain, and he will not disappoint you.  He has written over 70 books, including the popular  "39 Clues" series.  I recommend this book to students who enjoy mischief, fans of Dan Gutman or Andrew Clements, readers of Walter Dean Myers Cruisers series; it's best suited for middle grade students ages 10 and up.

--Angie R., Headquarters 

Staff Review: "A Whole Lot of Lucky" by Danette Haworth

"A Whole Lot of Lucky" by Danette Haworth
Hailee Richardson's life just got awesome; her family won the lottery!  She knows things are going to change in big ways.  She can't wait to get rid of her Goodwill clothes and second-hand bike.  Finally, she has a smartphone and her very own laptop.  Just as suddenly, she gets another shock when her parents transfer her from Palm Middle School to Magnolia Academy for Girls.  Hailee leaves her best friend, Amanda, behind as she transitions to another place altogether.  It's a hard lesson, but Hailee learns that being rich and popular is not what she wants after all. 

I related to Hailee because I changed schools in sixth grade, too.  I didn't win the lottery or need to worry about smartphones and Facebook though!  It was fun to see how we did some of the same things and also made some very different choices.  This book is best suited for students in grades 5-8.  If this sounds like the kind of book you might enjoy, you may want to try these other stories of girls learning life lessons:

--Angie R., Headquarters

Staff Review: "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio

In "Wonder" by R.J. Palacio, August Pullman is nervous about starting fifth grade. Really, really nervous. Which makes sense, since he's only been homeschooled until now. Like all kids, Auggie is afraid that he won't make any friends, that he'll never fit in. And he may be right. Because Auggie is very different from every other kid. You see, August has multiple facial deformities that cause people to stare, make fun, and be frightened of him.

Needless to say, Auggie makes a big impression at his new school, and the going isn't easy. He has to deal with bullies, friends who make mistakes, and a game called "the plague." And while Auggie adjusts to school, his older sister, Via, navigates her first year of high school alone.

Through the eyes of several different characters in the book, R.J. Palacio sensitively documents the agony and growth of not just an ordinary-extraordinary boy, but of his whole family and school during one year. Recommended for all middle-grade to middle school readers.

--Andrea W., H.Q.

P.S. To reserve more books on kids struggling to fit in at school and dealing with family issues, click on the pictures below.

reaching for sun by Tracie Vaughn Zimmer

Trouble by Gary D. Schmidt

out of my mind by Sharon M. Draper

Milo: Sticky Notes and Brain Freeze by Alan Silberberg