Hi,
So many topics aren't ones we'd think of to explore, and after being introduced find we like them and want to learn more. So I see your point, that she may be just choosing what is comfortable, the rut of reading her books, rather than exploring topics she may later come to enjoy, and learning something in the process.
This is just a guess -- but in addition to making her own accomodation to her giftedness or combatting boredom, she could be using those blocks of reading time to regroup mentally. You say she is sensitive and a people pleaser, probably well mannered during classes all day long because she has good self control and wants to be liked -- but maybe not without some cost? She has time while she reads to be in charge of her own world, only appearing to sit placidly in the corner. Excitement, tension, anger and other emotions she feels reading may be ones she has squashed down all day in order to please the system and fit in. If so, the draw of reading isn't just that it's easy but that it also fulfills an emotional need.
Sorry for the analysis, and that could be way way off base... maybe she's only bored. But if she is why doesn't she seek more novelty by sometimes choosing the teacher's extra activities? They can't all sound awful.
If reading is an important outlet for her, then you don't want to take it away until the need isn't there so much, for example after she's gained more confidence to be more herself all day, or whatever it is.
Either way, fiddling with the reading a little by asking her to choose a book here and there that has educational value can't hurt.
Polly
