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jenessabrooke's review
1.0
This was the book chosen for my school's "one book, one school" project. Due to timing, I ended up teaching this novel for my grad school project.
This all being said, I had strong (negative) opinions about Ben Carson beforehand. Did this book change my mind? No. But I will say that there were chapters in the book that my middle schoolers really identified with.
Carson lived in poverty as a kid. His mom stressed the importance of reading. Carson and his brother had to deal with racism. These were the conversations and chapters that I found valuable. His journey to becoming a successful doctor was also a great conversation starter on "what defines success".
This book is a revised version of his autobiography for kids but it's very simplified. Almost too simplified. I think this is more fit for 5th and 6th grade, not 7th or 8th. It also was a heavy promo for all Carson's achievements which got hoaky after a while.
Overall, I would not recommend this book.
This all being said, I had strong (negative) opinions about Ben Carson beforehand. Did this book change my mind? No. But I will say that there were chapters in the book that my middle schoolers really identified with.
Carson lived in poverty as a kid. His mom stressed the importance of reading. Carson and his brother had to deal with racism. These were the conversations and chapters that I found valuable. His journey to becoming a successful doctor was also a great conversation starter on "what defines success".
This book is a revised version of his autobiography for kids but it's very simplified. Almost too simplified. I think this is more fit for 5th and 6th grade, not 7th or 8th. It also was a heavy promo for all Carson's achievements which got hoaky after a while.
Overall, I would not recommend this book.
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