This newest addition to the “Gifted” series can be read on its own. You can always go back and checkout the popular predecessors, UNGIFTED and SUPERGIFTED.

HYPERGIFTED refers to one of the main characters, 12-year-old Noah Youkilis, who has an IQ of 206. Since my IQ follows the sign that hangs in my office, I was hoping I’d still enjoy reading about Noah.

Despite that gap between myself and Noah, I pushed forth and I’m glad I did.

School is easy for this super genius, but now he has been invited to attend the prestigious Wilderton University. He’d rather not accept the opportunity but it happens anyway. One good thing is he can invite a friend, his very average IQ buddy, Donovan.

Donovan would prefer to have a summer of doing nothing, but his parents decide the better plan is to send him off to roommate with Noah while they vacation in Europe. His summer has for sure been ruined as he will now be working as an on-campus camp counselor for 8-year-olds while Noah takes college classes.

The experience has Noah attempting to join the secret Society of the Gavel while he also creates an AI program that causes a lot of problems. Meanwhile Donovan is busy with his group of 8-year-olds as one keeps disappearing for hours. Without giving too much away Noah and Donovan end up having to smuggle the University’s highly adored mascot, a 200 pound pig into their dorm room.

Yes, it’s a crazy summer for the two of them. Despite their different IQ’s, the two of them together and the conversations they have are often hilarious. Another highlight is seeing how Noah and Donovan interacted with the older college age students and the younger elementary age kids. It’s a challenge either way.

The plot is relayed through multiple viewpoints. While not my favorite way of story telling, it did work well here. I still think a dual format might have worked better. Regardless, this entertaining story is well worth your time and would make a great read aloud. It’s also a springboard for a discussion about the positives and negatives of AI. HYPERGIFTED ends on a high note but the intended audience would surely give a thumbs up for another one in the series.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: February 3, 2026 PAGES: 272

ALL ABOUT GORDON KORMAN

Welcome to the wonderful world of a regular guy who just happened to write 100 books for kids and teens.

I was born on October 23, 1963 in Montreal, Canada, and grew up mostly in the Toronto area.

My writing career began virtually by accident when I was in 7^th grade. The track and field coach had to teach English. For creative writing, he gave us total freedom to work on whatever we wanted for the rest of the year. It was February. That added up to a class period per day for more than four months. The result was my first novel, THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING AT MACDONALD HALL.

I sent my manuscript to Scholastic because I was the class monitor for Scholastic Book Orders, and figured I was practically an employee. Seriously. (Full disclosure: my mom had to type my book for me.) It was a totally flukey and random way to launch a publishing career, but here’s the thing: It worked.! THIS CAN’T BE HAPPENING AT MACDONALD HALL was published by Scholastic when I was a freshman in high school, and I was on my way.

I’ve been writing for more than three-quarters of my life. My books have been translated into 32 languages and have sold over 35 million copies worldwide. I have a BFA degree from New York University with a major in Dramatic Writing and a minor in Film and TV.

I now live on Long Island, outside New York City, with my wife and family. When I’m not writing, you can usually find me on the road, appearing at schools, libraries, and bookstores, meeting my readers. (FOR MORE ABOUT GORDON KORMAN AND HIS BOOKS VISIT HIS AUTHOR WEBSITE)

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It’s almost time for another Marvelous Middle Grade Monday. Won’t you join us? It’s here I share highlights and links from other bloggers about middle grade books. Many of the posts will have reviews, interviews, and tips on writing. Take a look at PAST MMGM POSTS.

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*Please note: these posts are not a reflection of my own opinions on the books featured. Each blogger is responsible for their own MMGM content and I do not pre-screen reviews ahead of time, nor do I control what books they choose. I simply assemble the list based on the links that are emailed to me.