Gregg Lewis

Summary: This chapter book is about Ben Carson a young boy from Michigan who struggled in school and thought of himself as a failure. He did not like school because he did not think he was smart enough to succeed. Seeing his negative mentality, his mother never gave up on him and worked hard to help him get his grades and academic level higher. Even though she did not get very far in her educational career she became his mentor and his teacher. Ben Carson eventually rose to become one of show more Johns Hopkins leading brain surgeons. He performed countless surgeries that helped save the lives of children around the world. His hard work and dedication led him to who he has become.

Argument: I felt this chapter book was a good read for children for many reasons. First, I liked how the story started from when he was a child in inner city Michigan to a big shot doctor at Johns Hopkins. I thought it was smart that the author chose to start the book describing Ben's tough childhood and schooling. It helped tie into the theme of dedication and hard work. For example, the first chapter is "Broken Home, Shattered Dreams" and the last chapter is "Thinking Bigger". The second reason I enjoyed this book was because it talked about some of Ben Carson's hardest and biggest cases as a pediatric surgeon. For example, on page 119 it talks about the Bijani twins-a set of twins who have miraculously lived 29 years joined at the head. The last reason, I liked this book was for its photographs. Seeing the photographs of Ben Carson during his life help children to visualize him as a person and what he has accomplished. The pictures make the story come alive and make everyone believe in miracles.
The theme of this book is to never give up on your dreams. Ben Carson wanted to be a doctor and even though he was not the best student his hard work and determination paid off and he was able to accomplish everything he wanted to and more. show less

"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 show more 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. show less

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.

I have a LOT of respect for this man. His story is inspiring, particularly to those of us facing unique challenges with our children. Kudos to you, Dr. Carson, for your pioneering work in separating conjoined twins. This was a fascinating read, and I know I will read it again.