The Ben Carson Story (ZonderKidz Biography) - Gifted Hands

I am currently reading it to my fifth graders. This is the second time I have read this book to my students;the first being my then fourth graders. Each time, the class was enthralled with the book. We need MORE books like this,with realistic story lines and applicable messages that children can apply and get life lessons and inspiration from. I feel the current crop of trendy books are pushing more and more "empty calorie" books on children. Great book! I am ordering several copies for our school library(which sadly doesn't have a librarian).

Inspirational story about how extensive reading outside of school and hard work in school can turn kids into high achievers. As a SPED teacher, I've found this book very helpful in encouraging persistence in struggling students, grades 3-5. I wouldn't feel comfortable giving this to students with learning disabilities in middle school. Ben Carson overcame the achievement gap with his peers in grade 5. There's a big difference between a child struggling in their last year of elementary school and one struggling in his first year of middle school. It is much, much harder to close the achievement gap in middle school. This book could be helpful to middle school students with mild or moderate learning disabilities; it's not appropriate for middle schoolers with severe LD.

Here are other superb books for children and teens with learning difficulties and disabilities:
Here are other superb books for children and teens with learning disabilities. For children who are not being read to, it’s important that parents read the book also and start an ongoing conversation.
Disability awareness and acceptance are common traits of successful students and adults with LD.
Along with therapists and SPED teachers, parents play a critical role in helping children understand and cope with their disabilities. Be sure to recommend these resources to your friends and your child’s teachers.

Grades 1-3
It’s Called Dyslexia, Jennifer Moore-Mallinos

K-6
Knees: The Mixed Up World of a Boy with Dyslexia, Vanita Oelschlager

1-2
Here’s Hank series, Henry Winkler (author has dyslexia)

2-5
The Alphabet War: A Story About Dyslexia, Diane Robb

2-7
That’s Like Me: Stories About Amazing People with Learning Differences, Jill Lauren

3-6
Hank Zipzer series, Henry Winkler

3-8
Many Ways to Learn: A Kid’s Guide to LD (2nd edition), Judith Stern
Eli, The Boy Who Hated to Write (2nd edition), Regina and Eli Richards
My Name Is Brain Brian, Jeanne Betancourt (author has LD)

4-12
Succeeding with LD (2nd edition), Jill Lauren

8-12
Learning Disabilities and Life Stories, Pano Rodis
Understand Your Brain, Get More Done: The ADHD Executive Functions Workbook, Ari Tuckman (useful for anyone with attention, time management and organizational difficulties)

10-12
Reversals: A Personal Account of Victory Over Dyslexia, Eileen Simpson
The Human Side of Dyslexia (essays by college students), Shirley Kurnoff
Learning Outside the Lines (college prep), Jonathan Mooney and David Cole (authors have LD and AD/HD)

Books About Learning Difficulties

Grades K-1
Leo the Late Bloomer, Robert Kraus

K-2
Katie’s Rose: A Tale of Two Late Bloomers, Karen Burnett

1-2
Jasmine Can (difficulty reading), Bena Hartman

2-5
Thank You, Mr. Falker (difficulty reading), Patricia Polacco (author has dyslexia)

3-7
There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom, Louis Sachar

3-8
Gifted Hands: The [Dr.] Ben Carson Story, Gregg Lewis and Deborah Shaw Lewis

These books promote “growth mindset”—the belief that intelligence increases with effort. Research has found that students with this view have higher achievement than those who believe that intelligence is a fixed quantity (determined at birth).
K-2
Making A Splash: A Growth Mindset Children’s Book, Carol E Reiley (kindle version available on the store.com, hard copy available at gobrain.com)

3-5
Your Fantastic Elastic Brain, Dr. JoAnn Deak

Ben Carson is my teenage daughter's idol. The kid had to read this book as part of a school assignment and as much as she loves the idea of being a surgeon someday she has read every book from Dr. Carson because of the inspiration she receives from his experiences. I hope that when he campaigns here in Delaware that I can have her attend and I would recommend all of his books for children and adults. I can only attest how his writing has inspired my daughter and I am grateful.

Outstanding, motivational, inspiring. Phenomenal book for advanced readers ages 9 to adult. Had to explain racial prejudice with my child when she started reading it, but it was a good starting point for our talk.

What an amazing story of an amazing man! I ordered the original paperback of the adult version, but then one of my boys wanted to read the kids version, so I got this one on Kindle. I began reading it myself, and finished it in one night! (This would be written for approximately 5th - 9th graders, in my opinion.) The book is written on the level for kids, but also gives all relevant information in order to inspire them to do great things someday.

Dr. Carson had absolutely nothing handed to him. Everything he got was worked for--HARD. He got past racial bigotry without a complaint. He rose above poverty and struggling in school. He proved that if you really want something, you CAN get it, here in America. His mother was also a wonderful example to her sons and taught them right.

This book is also a testimony of what God can do through a person who gives themselves to Him. Not only is he a man of character, but he is also a man of faith.

I highly recommend this book as one that should be read by EVERY child in America, and I cannot wait to get my own version of the book!

Carson is suppose to have been raised Adventist....in his original book "Gifted Hands" he spoke of worshiping on the Sabbath . This book he says Sunday instead.... knowing the importance of that change.....makes me question Carson especially since he is running for POTUS. The mistake could not have been innocent....nor the implications.