You Have a Brain: A Teen's Guide to T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G.
on Goodreads (1,188)
What’s inside...
In 'You Have a Brain: A Teen's Guide to Think Big,' Dr. Benjamin Carson shares his life story and the challenges he faced, from growing up in inner-city Detroit to becoming a renowned neurosurgeon. Throughout the book, Dr. Carson introduces eight key principles represented by the acronym T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G.: Talent, Honesty, Integrity, Niceness, Knowledge, Books, In-Depth learning, and God. He discusses how these principles helped him overcome various obstacles and shaped his path to success, offering guidance for readers to apply these principles in their own lives to achieve their dreams despite any difficulties they might face.
Age
12-13
Length
240 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Benjamin Carson
Sonya Carson
Discussion points
What does T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. stand for and how can you apply these principles in your own life?
Which of Dr. Carson’s personal experiences inspired you the most, and why?
How do the challenges Dr. Carson faced change the way you view your own obstacles?
In what ways do you think maintaining a positive attitude can impact your future goals?
Can you think of a situation where you could use the T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. principles to make a decision?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before discussing, read the book together or encourage your child to read a chapter independently to ensure they understand the content.
Positively affirm your child’s insights and contributions to the discussion to encourage open communication.
Relate the themes of the book to real-life situations your child may face to make the concepts practical and relatable.
Encourage your child to reflect on how the principles can be applied in different scenarios to enhance their critical thinking.
Use examples from Dr. Carson’s life in the book to illustrate how resilience and hard work can lead to success.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The book showcases stories of overcoming challenges and setbacks, emphasizing the importance of persistence.
Real-World Application: Children learn to approach difficulties in school or personal tasks with determination and not easily give up.
Example Lesson: Importance of Education
Explanation: The author stresses on the value of education through personal anecdotes and the T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. model, where 'K' stands for Knowledge.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to value their schooling and seek out knowledge actively, understanding its impact on their future.
Example Lesson: Goal Setting
Explanation: The book guides readers on setting clear, achievable goals as part of the T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. framework.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by setting academic or personal goals, and understand the steps needed to achieve them.
Example Lesson: Integrity
Explanation: Through personal examples, the author underlines living with honesty and strong moral principles.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to incorporate integrity in daily interactions and decision-making, building trust and respect from others.
Example Lesson: Service to Others
Explanation: The 'B' in T.H.I.N.K. B.I.G. stands for Books, which symbolizes not only learning but also giving back through knowledge.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to help others, whether by sharing knowledge or volunteering, fostering a sense of community and empathy.