Even if the student could not read the book, why stifle the curiosity? The only reason I can think of not giving a student a book is unsuitable content. In that case, the parents should be asked if the book is okay.
My daughter read a few books in elementary school that had a relationship with a little kissing. She has since reread the book and said that she understood the rest of the book, but the relationship part was over her head - now in 8th grade, she gets it.
I think less and less students are prepared and that is a huge problem. Many just forget almost as soon as they have learned the material. I have no answers on that one.
Gifted students retain knowledge and that should be accepted.
