Gifted Hands

When I had only a baby and a toddler, I did a lot of reading. This was mainly because the baby did not sleep well.  I tried letting her cry it out when she was 5 months old, but after 2 hours of non-stop crying, I gave in.  After that, I held her while she napped and I read a book.

It was during this time that I read Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story

Dr. Ben Carson was a ground-breaking neurosurgeon who has also gained some attention recently for his widely publicized speech at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast.  He has become a popular figure in conservative circles for his views on social issues and the federal government.

Gifted Hands is as much about Ben Carson as it is about his mother. His mother raised Ben and his older brother as a single mother. She couldn't read, but she realized that reading was the key to success for her boys. She severely restricted their television viewing and required a certain number of books to be read each week and required a book report.

Ben Carson became interested in science in high school, went to medical school, and eventually became a famous brain surgeon.

The life changing decisions he made and the journey he took to arrive at Johns Hopkins Hospital are what make this book interesting and encouraging.

I recommend this biography for ages 13 and up.