Review Detail

Hypergifted by Gordon Korman is a fast-paced and funny story that follows Noah and Donovan as they end up spending the summer at a college instead of having a normal break.

Noah is extremely smart, but that’s actually part of his problem, because he just wants to feel like a regular kid for once. Meanwhile, Donovan is the complete opposite. He just wanted a lazy summer, but instead gets dragged into college life and ends up working with younger kids. I read this on my own, and I liked how their personalities clashed but still worked together.

One thing that really stood out to me is how the book switches between different characters’ points of view. At first, it can feel a little confusing, but it actually helps you understand what everyone is thinking and why they act the way they do. Noah feels pressure to live up to expectations because of how smart he is, while Donovan kind of just goes with the flow and causes chaos without meaning to. Their friendship feels real because they balance each other out, even when things get messy.

The story also has a lot going on, from a secret society at the college to an AI project that starts getting out of control. On top of that, there’s also a giant pig mascot being hidden in a dorm, which sounds ridiculous but somehow fits perfectly with the tone of the book. I liked how it mixed serious ideas, like expectations and identity, with random and funny situations. It kept the story interesting and unpredictable.

If I had to point out something weaker, it would be that there are a lot of characters and storylines happening at once. Sometimes it feels like the focus jumps around a bit too much, and not every character feels necessary. But at the same time, it does make the story more active and engaging, since you’re always trying to connect everything together.

Overall, I think this book is a good mix of humor and deeper themes. It shows that being “gifted” doesn’t mean life is easy, and that everyone just wants to fit in in their own way. It’s entertaining, a little chaotic, and has enough heart to make it more than just a funny story.