Supergifted

Supergifted is a children’s novel that serves as a sequel to Korman’s previous book, Ungifted. Ungifted was published in 2012 and was awarded the Red Cedar Award in 2014. The story revolves around Donovan Curtis, an average student at Hardcastle Middle School, who is mistakenly sent to a school for gifted children. Through his experiences at the academy, he learns valuable lessons about balancing intellectual achievement, social engagement, and personal growth. The narrative follows Donovan’s journey as he learns to navigate the challenges of fitting into this new environment and developing his own identity.

The story begins with Donovan, known for his impulsive behavior, accidentally damaging a statue on his school campus. The incident leads to a series of events that result in him being transferred to the academy for gifted students. Although he knows he doesn’t belong there, Donovan decides to make the most of his opportunity and tries to blend in. He quickly notices that intellectual curiosity is highly encouraged in the academy. Despite lacking any knowledge of robotics, Donovan joins the robotics team and suggests naming their robot “Tin Man,” which helps unite the class. While some classmates recognize that Donovan is not gifted, they appreciate the social engagement he brings: Donovan befriends his classmates and becomes the ideal candidate for driving the robot in an upcoming competition.