Finding exciting reading for your gifted child can be a challenge. they may quickly lose interest or simply not be intrigued by typical high school books. however, although your intellect may be a challenge now, this is not an unfortunate dilemma. their intelligence opens them up to a wide range of books they might not otherwise have read.
We want to help you find the best books for gifted readers, and this list will do just that. We will open you and your child to a variety of the best books for high school gifted students. this will include genres from fiction to biographies.
You are reading: Books for gifted middle school students
The books on this list are not just articles that can be read for pleasure, but books that can also help you advance in your courses. Imagine watching your child sit emotionless while looking at the pages of a book like Judy Blume’s Complete Fudge Set. Although for many children this can be an intriguing read, you can see the disappointment on your student’s face.
this list is here to help eliminate that. Not only will we provide you with information on the best books, but we will also give you simple tips that you can use to help them choose a book that challenges them and fits their personality.
all you have to do is keep reading to unlock the power of words.
If you just want to get back to school, get our top pick for gifted high school books here.
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last updated: 2022-09-04
our favorites for the best books for gifted high school students
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
a wrinkle in time is a classic text that is great for your middle school child. It’s a newbery award winner, which is perfect for kids ages 10-14. this is a classic read often recommended for gifted children.
The book focuses on two salient topics that high school kids can learn about. one of the main themes of the book is their battle over good and evil. A Wrinkle in Time is the story of two children whose father disappears after a fantastic discovery. Meg and his younger brother, Charles, must go on an adventure to save their father.
The text is best known for having been banned in the early 1960s. This was due to the idea that it was promoting witchcraft, or even too complicated for students to understand. Some readers also didn’t like the leading lady, Meg. This is the first book in a trilogy. many consider it to be a must read for all ages and science fiction lovers.
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last updated: 2022-09-04
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Life as we knew it is a story told in a unique way. the entire story is told through a series of journal entries spanning a year. The diary entries are written through Miranda’s eyes. Miranda is a high school sophomore whose world is rocked when an asteroid strikes, bringing her close to earth.
This text is considered a dystopian novel. these are novels that describe a society of mass suffering. Susan Pfeffer centers this book on a girl and her family who must stick together more than ever with disaster looming in the air.
The family in this text is one that is deeply relatable and, even in the midst of a crisis, still experiences ordinary life events. This book takes a look at what happens when an average family experiences an extraordinary disaster.
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last updated: 2022-09-04
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
This is an excellent book for gifted children as it explains what happens when gifted children answer the call of duty. well, not the call of duty, but a newspaper ad seeking children for mental testing. The four children who can pass these tests are sent on a fantastic adventure. this book captures that adventure.
This is an excellent text for gifted readers. several parents say that it is a creative story that deeply portrays the characteristic of bravery of the main characters. children and adults found this to be an enjoyable read that they didn’t want to put down.
This novel helps teach students that it’s okay to be a leader. it also helps them appreciate that you don’t always have to follow the pack; you can create your path.
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last updated: 2022-09-04
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
the hobbit is considered a modern classic. It is the text that introduces us to the Lord of the Rings. this can be one of several challenging books for 7th graders; however, if they can get through it, they won’t regret it. If your child or student has a substantial interest in fantasy, this is a great option.
There are several themes present in this novel that can be related to real life, although the book is set in a high fantasy setting. some of these themes include greed, loyalty, bravery, and even family heritage. If you’re not familiar with the story, follow the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins.
Bilbo’s objective in the novel is to obtain the treasure that the smaug dragon guards. his journey quickly turns from lighthearted to sinister. Tolkien’s book is widely known and loved by a wide variety of people. Many adults were introduced to this text as children and have continued to introduce this book to their children and the children around them. many exclaim that the story is one of great adventure, friendship and, of course, danger.
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last updated: 2022-09-04
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
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The story written by Rita Williams Garcia, author of Crazy in Alabama and Clayton Byrd Goes Underground, is a Newbery Award winner and a New York Times bestseller. As the book cover shows, the story is about three sisters set in the late 1960s. All three sisters, Vonetta, Fern, and Delphine, were separated from their mother, with the eldest, Delphine, taking on that role for her sisters. .
however, their mother left to start a new life in california and the girls are going to spend the summer with her. instead of seeing the magical kingdom, the girls are sent to a summer camp run by black panthers. this is an eye-opening summer for girls. They not only learn about their mother, but also about their own family and heritage.
This is an excellent text to introduce aspects of the story to your child. this text is culturally significant even today. The book packs history, humor, and much more into this short read. The book sheds light on the real-world issues that many minority children face every day. the characters are also strong and relatable.
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last updated: 2022-09-04
Finalists for Best Books for High School Gifted Students
The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure by Hans Magnus Enzensberger, Rotraut Susanne Berner
the number devil is a German text that has been translated into English. With this text, the author takes a fantastic approach to mathematics. he takes a subject that is generally considered boring and inconsequential and creates excitement.
The text focuses on a boy who despises math, Robert. Robert meets the number demon in his dreams. the devil of numbers teaches you a variety of topics such as prime numbers, infinite numbers and more. the more he dreams, the deeper readers are transformed into the realm of mathematics.
It’s no wonder this textbook is an international bestseller. buyers found it to be a fun and entertaining read. Parents love how excited kids are about learning and solving math problems after reading this text.
This is a great teaching tool for people who don’t enjoy math. The book aims to keep children informed and encourage them to find the fun in math. the only criticism some readers have is that the names are made up of familiar mathematical terms and theories. for example, when referring to prime numbers, the book may call them prima donna. this is a text that can not only be read at school but also at home. It can also be seen as an excellent gift for gifted students.
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last updated: 2022-09-04
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
Brown Girl Dreaming is written as a memoir in free verse and is the childhood story of author Jacqueline Woodson. The story takes place in a variety of settings, including Ohio, South Carolina, and even New York.
This series of poems describes life in the 1960s and 1970s. This was an era of much radical change and racially charged events. this text was inspired by the author’s love for literature and writing.
The story opens with a poem that speaks of the beginning of the author’s life. she also talks about the world’s weather when she was brought into the world. this includes the southern climate, even though woodson was born in ohio.
family is a main theme throughout the text; this is evident even when a family is not related by blood. the book has many layers and underlying meanings, making it a great read for gifted learners.
This is an excellent text to share with your children; it is beautifully written and very informative. she tells her story in a unique way that makes it difficult to categorize the information.
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last updated: 2022-09-04
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
lord of the flies is an adventure story. is the story of a group of school children who are stranded on a tropical island. this leaves several possibilities as there are no rules, no supervision, and essentially no order. Though the boys do well creating rules and structure for a while, eventually it all takes a brutal turn.
This book brings to the fore the notion of human nature and even savagery. This is a classic text that can be difficult for some students to understand, but excellent for gifted readers. this is often a book that makes summer reading lists and is even taught in classrooms.
Readers tend to enjoy this book not only because of the plot, but also because of the themes and underlying meanings behind some of the boy’s actions. some readers even called this text a timeless treasure that can be identified at several different times in today’s society.
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last updated: 2022-09-04
Value Picks for the Best Books for High School Gifted Students
Archibald Frisby by Michael Chesworth
archibald frisby is the story of a boy who not only loves science, but is wiser than he seems. he is intrigued by how things work and their underlying structure. although these can be seen as excellent qualities for a boy, his mother is not very enthusiastic about it. she therefore, instead of supporting her scientific methods, she sends him to a camp.
The book offers an excellent combination of entertainment and even science. this would be an excellent read for junior high school students. it can also be reading that gets kids acclimated and comfortable with science.
chesworth’s text can help people who are not scientifically inclined relate to people who are. Many families enjoy reading this book with children and have even purchased a copy for themselves. some educators also use this book to introduce science to children at an early age.
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last updated: 2022-09-04
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a coming of age story that is autobiographical in some ways for author Betty Smith. The story takes place in Brooklyn in the early 20th century. The story centers on Francie Nolan, a young woman living in the slums who is no stranger to poverty. This young woman is forced to be extremely strong not only because of the environment she finds herself in, but also because of her family.
Her aunt is always in and out of marriages and her father has a strong liking for alcohol. therefore, the family is not without drama. this story is funny, heartbreaking and can even be uplifting, it’s a must read. Many readers highly recommend this text for high school students and even adults.
Readers have found that a tree growing in brooklyn is a great way to introduce kids to a number of tough topics, including alcoholism, death, and other adult situations. this is a favorite of several readers, even after more than 50 years. the writing style is captivating and overall the book is a brilliant success.
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last updated: 2022-09-04
The Color Of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother by James McBride
ruth mcbride jordan is a “light-skinned” woman with 12 black children; She is also the mother of the author, James McBride. this book explores the life of her mother and her reluctance to admit that she was white. Her father, for the curious, was a black pastor who lived with his family in the Brooklyn projects.
Unfortunately, the author, as a child, was ashamed of his mother. he uses this text as a way to tell his story. The story looks at her life as Rachel Shilsky, a rabbi’s daughter who ran away and settled in New York. From there, she begins her experience as a “light-skinned” woman. the story explores themes of identity and growing up through his mother and sometimes even through himself.
This is an excellent read on race and has also been used often for summer reading. the color of water is a text that has had a profound impact on its readers. Just like Ruth, many of us are living lives that we have no choice but to get over, no matter how badly we want to give up. for some reason, this book even changed the way they approach life.
The author not only gives us an outstanding story, but the book is also deeply written. some readers even called it the most memorable book they’ve ever read.
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last updated: 2022-09-04
how to choose the best books for gifted high school students
Choosing a book for your middle school child can be difficult. there are some things that you might think they would like but they don’t. okay, not every parent or teacher will. you can’t know everything about your child, that’s where we come in. Use the tips below to help you choose a book that’s right for them and one they’ll enjoy.
what does their reading history say about them?
When your child tells you about a book, be sure to take a mental note. pay attention to what they have read in the past and what they are interested in. If you have a gifted reader who is interested in historical fiction, you probably shouldn’t go out and buy them The Hunger Games or The Hobbit, as these books don’t. relate to your interests.
What grade level are you currently reading at?
this is important. some 7th graders, though young, may have the ability to read at a high school level and handle more complex situations. therefore challenging books for 7th graders may not be challenging for them at all. books that don’t appeal to your intellectual level will seem boring and won’t be able to capture your attention.
Is there a gifted reading list at your school?
The school reading list can be a great source of information and great books. it’s also a unique way to determine which books will provide the right amount of challenge with entertainment.
These are just some basic tips to get you started on choosing the right texts for your talented readers. The easiest thing you can do when choosing a text is to invite your reader into discussion or simply take a trip to a bookstore. this is not only a great way to look for books, but also some good quality time with your student.
Summarizing: The Best Books for Gifted High School Students
We have reviewed a lot today. Here’s a helpful chart to consolidate each book for high school gifted students:
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last updated: 2022-09-04
If you’re looking for books for advanced sixth graders or just books you know your gifted child will enjoy and learn from, then you’ve come to the right place. Finding books that are not only challenging but also entertaining may not be easy for a gifted student; however, it can be done. this list introduces you to some of the best books for gifted high school students and even some of the most highly recommended.
if you’re looking for a text that will help your child approach and become familiar with adult situations without overwhelming them, a tree grows in brooklyn by betty smith is an excellent choice. it’s entertaining, it’s well written, and you’ll enjoy it. Another great option is the classic text from Golding, Lord of the Flies. Most children often fantasize about a world without parents or adults, but will they continue to do so after reading this book?
Overall, we hope you have found this list extremely helpful and a great introduction to a variety of topics for your child. Happy reading!
Because you read this post, you can also enjoy our post on the best mensa reading list here.
If you’re looking for specific listings for middle grades, check out our listings for high school boys or high school girls.
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