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Description
Noah and Donovan must combine their middle-school smarts to keep a pig-sized secret and fix a haywire AI program in this funny and heartwarming sequel to Ungifted.
School has never been a problem for twelve-year-old super-genius Noah Youkilis—at least not until he gets an admission letter to the prestigious Wilderton University. The last thing Noah wants is to go straight from eighth grade into college. Will his life ever just be normal?!
Meanwhile, Noah's best friend, Donovan, has been looking forward all year to a summer of doing nothing. But when Wilderton allows Noah to bring a friend for the summer term, Donovan's parents jump at the chance. Suddenly, Donovan's summer of slack has turned into hanging with Noah and working as a summer camp counselor for professors' kids.
Once they arrive on campus, Noah's determined to fit in—and to him, that means joining the top-secret Society of the Gavel. But becoming a Gaveler is harder than it seems, and it's made all the harder when Noah and Donovon smuggle Wilderton's mascot, a two-hundred-pound pig named Porquette, into their dorm. It's going to be a summer to remember in the newest book from #1 New York Times bestselling author Gordon Korman.
Told from multiple points of view, the story is laugh-out-loud funny, and readers will be entertained as Noah and Donovan try to make sense of college life. ... A hilarious romp.
School Library Journal
Starred Review
Gr 3-5--This stunning middle-grade novel delivers a funny, heartfelt summer adventure told through multiple character perspectives. Twelve-year-old super-genius Noah Youkilis has been accepted into a summer term at the prestigious Wilderton University, but the last thing he wants is to start college early. His best friend, Donovan, is hoping for a summer of total relaxation, but when Wilderton says Noah can bring a companion to school, Donovan's parents immediately sign him up; he soon finds himself working as a camp counselor for professors' kids instead of relaxing at home. The story unfolds in alternating chapters from several viewpoints, giving readers a clear sense of each character's priorities. Multiple plotlines run at once, including Noah's ambitious AI project, Donovan's growing friendship with his fellow counselor Raina, two frat boys chasing an unforgettable summer, and a missing pig mascot. Korman also highlights the complementary traits that make Noah and Donovan such strong friends: Noah's academic brilliance paired with Donovan's street smarts, with each boy relying on and admiring the other. Even with so much happening, the narrative remains easy to follow because the structure makes the story rich rather than complicated, and every thread builds toward a satisfying conclusion. Korman's writing style is thoroughly engaging and speaks directly to middle-grade readers with its sharp dialogue, brisk pacing, and situations that feel both over the top and completely relatable. VERDICT Korman's latest adventure is must-purchase for all middle-grade collections.--Katherine Rao
Copyright 2025 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Gordon Korman published his first book at age fourteen, and since then he has written more than one hundred middle-grade and teen novels. His favorites include the New York Times bestsellers The Fort, Linked, The Unteachables, and Restart. Gordon lives with his family on Long Island, New York. He invites you to visit him online at gordonkorman.com.
