Treasury · Merit

Davidson Gifted

The Davidson Institute's reading list for profoundly gifted young readers; the hardest list here for its ages.

130 books in the catalog stand on this list. The list itself (opens the list's own website) ↗

A reader aged

58 of these books carry no suggested reading age, so choosing an age leaves them out.

• Abel's Island by William Steig, 1976 · Lexile 920L · AR 5.9
  Remember
• A Child's Portrait of Shakespeare by Lois Burdett, 1995 · Lexile 920L · AR 5.5
  Remember
• A Gebra Named Al by Wendy Isdell, 1993
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• Alice's Adventures In Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, 1865 · ages 11–13 · Lexile 880L · AR 7.4 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Halsted - Best Friends, Mensa Kids, TJEd Youth Recommended
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• All About Sam by Lois Lowry, 1988 · Lexile 670L
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• Am I Naturally This Crazy?: Poems by Sara Holbrook, 1996 · ages 9–14 · AR 3.5 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
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• Amy, Number Seven by Marilyn Kaye, 1998 · Lexile 570L · AR 4.6
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• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, 1935 · ages 9–12 · Lexile 710L · AR 7.3 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Deep Roots Grade, Halsted - Best Friends, Mensa Kids, The Good & The Beautiful, TJEd Youth Recommended
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• Another Side of Paradise by Jessica Walters, 2004
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• A Puzzling Day at Castle MacPelican by Scoular Anderson, 1994
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• Around the World in Eighty Days by Jules Verne, 1873 · ages 9–14 · Lexile 1090L · AR 9.6 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Beautiful Feet, Deep Roots Grade
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• Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer, 2001 · ages 9–14 · Lexile 600L · AR 5.0 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
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• A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park, 2002 · ages 11–13 · Lexile 920L · AR 6.6 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Newbery Award, The Good & The Beautiful
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• A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom, 2005 · Lexile 150L · AR 0.7
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• A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle, 1962 · ages 9–13 · Lexile 740L · AR 4.7 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Halsted - Best Friends, Mensa Kids, Newbery Award, NY Public Library
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• Babe: The Gallant Pig by Dick King-Smith, 1983 · Lexile 1040L · AR 5.6
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• Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace, 1940 · ages 8–10 · Lexile 650L · AR 4.0 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Mensa Kids, TJEd Early Recommended
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• Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, 1877 · ages 8–12 · Lexile 1010L · AR 7.7 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Beautiful Feet, Deep Roots Grade, Mensa Kids, The Good & The Beautiful, TJEd Youth Recommended
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• Black Stallion by Walter Farley, 1941 · ages 11–13 · Lexile 680L · AR 5.2 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Beautiful Feet, Mensa Kids, TJEd Youth Recommended
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• Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner, 1942 · ages 8–9 · Lexile 580L · AR 3.9 · AR Interest: LG (K–3)
  also on Deep Roots Grade, The Good & The Beautiful
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• Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson, 1987 · Lexile 360L
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• Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham, 1955 · ages 11–13 · Lexile 570L · AR 4.1 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Beautiful Feet, Newbery Award, The Good & The Beautiful
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• Catwings by Ursula K. Le Guin, 1988 · Lexile 700L
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• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White, 1952 · ages 8–12 · Lexile 680L · AR 4.4 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Mensa Kids, NY Public Library, The Good & The Beautiful, TJEd Early Recommended
  Remember
• Danny, the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl, 1975 · ages 8–10 · AR 4.7 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Halsted - Best Friends
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• D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths by Ingri and Edgar D'Aulaire, 1962 · ages 11–13 · Lexile 1070L · AR 6.6 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Beautiful Feet, Mensa Kids, NY Public Library
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• Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne, 1992 · ages 5–9 · Lexile 510L · AR 2.6 · AR Interest: LG (K–3)
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• Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time by James Gurney, 1992 · ages 9–14 · Lexile 700L · AR 6.9 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on TJEd Early Recommended
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• Dogs Don't Tell Jokes by Louis Sachar, 1991 · ages 9–14 · Lexile 560L · AR 3.8 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  Remember
• Don Quixote, Part 1 by Miguel Cervantes, 1612 · ages 14–18 · Lexile 1410L · AR 13.2 · AR Interest: UG (9–12)
  also on Harvard Classics, Mensa Kids, St. John's College, TJEd Youth Recommended
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• Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey, 1968 · Lexile 940L · AR 6.9
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• Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, 1997 · ages 8–10 · Lexile 670L · AR 4.6 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Halsted - Best Friends
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• Encyclopedia Brown by Donald J. Sobol, 1963 · up to age 10 · Lexile 610L · AR 4.1 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Deep Roots Grade, The Good & The Beautiful
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• Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card, 1985 · ages 14–18 · Lexile 780L · AR 5.5 · AR Interest: UG (9–12)
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• Fabulous Beasts by Joyce Hargreaves, 1997
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• Fantastic Voyage by Isaac Asimov, 1966 · Lexile 770L · AR 6.0
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• Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes, 1952 · ages 8–10 · Lexile 990L · AR 6.0 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Newbery Award
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• Girl Who Didn't Mind / Caileag A Bha Coma by Wendy Wakefield Ferrin, 2002
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• Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift, 1726 · ages 14–18 · Lexile 1370L · AR 13.5 · AR Interest: UG (9–12)
  also on Deep Roots Grade, Mensa Kids, St. John's College, TJEd Youth Recommended
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• Half Magic by Edward Eager, 1954 · ages 9–14 · Lexile 830L · AR 5.0 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  Remember
• Hardy Boys by Franklin Dixon, 2013 · ages 10–13 · Lexile 700L · AR 4.0
  also on The Good & The Beautiful
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• Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh, 1964 · ages 9–12 · Lexile 760L · AR 4.5 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Halsted - Best Friends, Mensa Kids, NY Public Library
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• Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J. K. Rowling, 1998 · ages 9–11 · Lexile 880L · AR 5.5 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on NY Public Library
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• Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, 1979 · ages 14–17 · Lexile 950L · AR 6.6 · AR Interest: UG (9–12)
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• Hoot by Carl Hiaasen, 2002 · ages 9–14 · Lexile 520L · AR 5.2 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
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• James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl, 1961 · ages 9–14 · Lexile 870L · AR 4.8 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  Remember
• Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne, 1864 · ages 14–18 · Lexile 1030L · AR 9.9 · AR Interest: UG (9–12)
  also on TJEd Youth Recommended
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• Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Park, 1992 · ages 5–9 · Lexile 380L · AR 2.9 · AR Interest: LG (K–3)
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• Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder, 1935 · ages 8–10 · Lexile 600L · AR 5.3
  also on Deep Roots Grade, Mensa Kids, The Good & The Beautiful
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• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, 1868 · ages 9–14 · Lexile 1300L · AR 7.9 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Deep Roots Grade, Mensa Kids, The Good & The Beautiful, TJEd Youth Recommended
  Remember
• Lizard Music by Daniel Pinkwater, 1975 · Lexile 780L
  Remember
• Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, 1973 · ages 14–17 · Lexile 860L · AR 6.1
  also on Mensa Kids, Time Magazine 1923-2005, TJEd Youth Recommended
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• Math Curse by Jon Scieszka; Lane Smith, 1995 · ages 5–9 · Lexile 560L · AR 3.7 · AR Interest: LG (K–3)
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• Matilda by Roald Dahl, 1988 · ages 8–12 · Lexile 840L · AR 5.0 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Mensa Kids, NY Public Library
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• Meet Addy: An American Girl by Connie Porter, 1993 · Lexile 700L · AR 4.0
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• Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee, 2003 · Lexile 800L · AR 5.8
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• Mr Tompkins in Paperback by George Gamow, 1965
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• Murder Strikes Again by Cora Harrison, 2004
  Remember
• My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett, 1948 · ages 8–10 · Lexile 970L · AR 5.6 · AR Interest: LG (K–3)
  also on NY Public Library
  Remember
• My Name Is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok, 1972 · Lexile 640L
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• My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George, 1959 · ages 9–12 · Lexile 810L · AR 5.2
  also on Deep Roots Grade, Mensa Kids, The Good & The Beautiful
  Remember
• Nancy Drew: The Secret of the Old Clock by Carolyn Keene, 1930 · ages 9–14 · Lexile 760L · AR 5.4 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on The Good & The Beautiful
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• Nate the Great by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat, 1972 · ages 5–9 · Lexile 340L · AR 2.0 · AR Interest: LG (K–3)
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• New York Is English, Chattanooga Is Creek by Chris Raschka, 2005 · AR 2.5
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• Path Finder by Thomas Locke, 1995 · AR 6.1
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• Redwall by Brian Jacques, 1986 · ages 11–13 · Lexile 850L · AR 5.6 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Mensa Kids
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• Rotten Ralph by Jack Gantos, 1976 · Lexile 580L · AR 3.0
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• Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School by Louis Sachar, 1989 · Lexile 670L
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• Sir Cumference and the First Round Table by Cindy Neuschwander, 1997 · Lexile 600L
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• Skinnybones by Barbara Park, 1982 · Lexile 590L · AR 4.1
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• So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane, 1983 · Lexile 960L · AR 5.9
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• Space Brat by Bruce Coville, 1993 · Lexile 560L
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• Squids Will Be Squids: Fresh Morals, Beastly Fables by Jon Scieszka; Lane Smith, 1998
  Remember
• Stuart Little by E.B. White, 1945 · ages 9–10 · Lexile 920L · AR 6.0
  also on Deep Roots Grade, TJEd Youth Recommended
  Remember
• Tale of the Toa by Cathy Hapka, 2003 · AR 5.2
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• The Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat by Theoni Pappas, 1997
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• The Bad Beginning by Lemony Snicket, 1999 · ages 9–14 · Lexile 1010L · AR 6.4 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  Remember
• The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Manus Pinkwater, 1977 · Lexile 550L · AR 3.2
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• The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander, 1964 · ages 9–12 · Lexile 770L · AR 5.3 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Mensa Kids, NY Public Library
  Remember
• The Chemy Called Al by Wendy Isdell, 1996
  Remember
• The Chosen by Chaim Potok, 1968 · ages 14–17 · Lexile 900L · AR 6.6 · AR Interest: UG (9–12)
  also on Deep Roots Grade, Mensa Kids, TJEd Adult Recommended
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• The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett, 1983 · Lexile 890L · AR 6.4
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• The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan, 1990 · ages 14–18 · AR 5.9 · AR Interest: UG (9–12)
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• The Giggler Treatment by Roddy Doyle, 2000 · Lexile 590L · AR 3.7
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• The Giver by Lois Lowry, 1993 · ages 13–17 · Lexile 760L · AR 5.7 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Mensa Kids, Newbery Award, NY Public Library
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• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, 1964 · ages 5–7 · Lexile 530L · AR 2.6 · AR Interest: LG (K–3)
  also on TJEd Early Recommended
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• The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman, 1995 · ages 14–17 · Lexile 930L · AR 7.1 · AR Interest: UG (9–12)
  also on Halsted - Best Friends
  Remember
• The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster, 2005 · Lexile 670L · AR 3.4
  Remember
• The Howling Vowels by Leslie Schultz, 2011
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• The King's Equal by Katherine Paterson, 1992 · ages 5–9 · Lexile 780L · AR 5.2 · AR Interest: LG (K–3)
  also on The Good & The Beautiful
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• The King's Shadow by Elizabeth Alder, 1997 · ages 14–18 · Lexile 940L · AR 6.6 · AR Interest: UG (9–12)
  also on Deep Roots Grade
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• The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, 2005 · ages 9–14 · Lexile 680L · AR 4.7 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  Remember
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, 1950 · ages 8–13 · Lexile 940L · AR 5.7
  also on Deep Roots Grade, Mensa Kids, NY Public Library, The Good & The Beautiful, Time Magazine 1923-2005, TJEd Youth Recommended
  Remember
• The Magic School Bus at the Waterworks by Joanna Cole, 1986 · ages 5–9 · Lexile 660L · AR 3.7 · AR Interest: LG (K–3)
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• The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman, 1996 · ages 11–13 · Lexile 1150L · AR 6.0 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Newbery Award
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• The Neverending Story by Michael Ende, 1979 · Lexile 930L · AR 5.9
  Remember
• The New World of Mr Tompkins by George Gamow; Russell Stannard, 1999
  Remember
• The Parrot's Theorem by Denis Guedj, 1998
  Remember
• The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster, 1961 · ages 10–13 · Lexile 1000L · AR 6.7 · AR Interest: MG (4–8)
  also on Halsted - Best Friends, NY Public Library, TJEd Youth Recommended
  Remember
• The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks by Nancy McArthur, 1988 · Lexile 640L · AR 4.1
  Remember

Only the first 100 of 130 are listed here. Choosing an age narrows the list.