an excellent true-life story about a boy called the dumbest in the fifth grade class to world renowned pediatric neurosurgeon focusing on the importance of faith in his life and the difference reading made. ( )

Much description of his Christian faith. Although this book doesn’t cover it, after retirement, Carson went on to run for president, to be Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and a leader in the Republican Party.

Very inspiring story about making the best of your situation step by step! I have already challenged my kids to read at least 1 Nonfiction book per month each (they are already avid readers but gravitate almost exclusively towards Fiction) for the next year. This evolved from his mother's request for Ben and his brother to visit the library and really limit their tv viewing. Will certainly recommend this book many times over. ( )

"Gifted Hands, Kids Edition", is a book about a young man named Ben Carson. When he was in school he felt like the class dummy. He tells his tory of how he went through school angry and frustrated because of his classmates. Because he had a mother who loved him dearly and pushed him and encouraged him to succeed he went all the way through college and ended up as a neurosurgeon.

I think this is a very powerful book. Carson shows kids that they can do whatever they put their minds too. There are a lot of under privileged children that could use the encouragement from this book.

One extension idea would be to have students write a list of words that are encouraging to them.
Another extension idea would be to have them write an essay on how they could encourage others around them.