Contact: Lindsey Rodarmer, 616-698-3332, lindsey.rodarmer@zondervan.com

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Jan. 22 /Christian Newswire/ -- Zondervan, a world leader in Christian communications, today announced a special partnership with TNT centered around the brand new TNT Original movie GIFTED HANDS: THE BEN CARSON STORY. Zondervan will offer two books that correspond with the movie, starring Cuba Gooding Jr. as Dr. Ben Carson, that will air Feb. 7 on TNT.

The trade book Gifted Hands is available in several formats including hardcover (jacketed), softcover, mass market, Ebook, and audio download. A Gifted Hands TV Tie-in edition will also be available in February 2009 wherever books are sold from Zonderkidz(tm) for children ages 9-12 featuring Cuba Gooding Jr. as Dr. Ben Carson on the cover and behind-the-scene images from the movie.

The inspiring story of Dr. Ben Carson takes readers into the life of an inner-city youngster who rose above his circumstances to become director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins University Hospital. Gifted Hands by Ben Carson, M.D. and Cecil Murphey, which originally released in 1990, is the story of Ben Carson, who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds: a broken home, poverty, limited opportunity, and scholastic and behavioral problems. It chronicles the transformation of an angry inner city boy, growing up in Detroit with a violent temper, into a medical genius renowned for his unique surgical skills, innovative medical procedures, and a mild bedside manner.

Carson shares the inspiration behind a strong will to reach his potential in life, both personally and professionally. He says his mother "was the earliest, strongest and most impacting force in my life." He also tells of his faith in God, which guides him through complex and delicate surgeries. "Never get too big for God. Never drop God out of your life," Carson said.

In the Gifted Hands TV Tie-in edition by Gregg Lewis (Zonderkidz, February 2009, ISBN: 978-0-310-71894-9, $5.99), kids will read how Ben Carson was able to accomplish his dream through faith and determination. The special movie tie-in print edition inspires young readers with the story of how an angry inner-city boy grew up to become one of the world's greatest neurosurgeons, showing kids that anything is possible with faith and determination. Many had given up on Ben, including himself, but his mother never did. She encouraged him to do better and reach higher for his dreams. There are photographs of Ben and his family throughout the text, with an 8-page color section of movie and behind-the-scene images.


About the TNT Original Movie GIFTED HANDS: THE BEN CARSON STORY
A frustrated young boy with problems in school overcomes the obstacles in his life to become a world-renowned neurosurgeon in this uplifting and inspirational JOHNSON & JOHNSON SPOTLIGHT PRESENTATION® starring Oscar® winner Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire) and two-time NAACP Image Award winner Kimberly Elise (The Great Debaters, The Manchurian Candidate). The movie is based on the true story of Dr. Ben Carson, whose lifelong journey led him to become director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children's Center, a best-selling author and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The movie premieres Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT), exclusively on TNT. Movie photos are available for story inclusion. Please contact Lindsey Rodarmer at (616) 698-3332 or lindsey.rodarmer@zondervan.com.  

About the Authors
Dr. Benjamin Carson is a professor of neurosurgery, plastic surgery, oncology, and pediatrics, and the director of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. He won a full scholarship to Yale University and is a graduate from the University of Michigan Medical School. He is the author of three other bestselling books--Gifted Hands, Think Big, and The Big Picture. He serves on the corporate boards of the Kellogg Company, Costco Wholesale Corp., and American's Promise, among others, and is an Emeritus Fellow of the Yale Corporation.

Carson earned international recognition in 1987 for his part in the landmark separation of the Binder Siamese twins of Germany, who were joined at the back of the head. That procedure and other hemispherectomy operations are described in his book Gifted Hands.

Ben, his wife, and three sons live in Maryland. He and his wife, Candy, are the parents of three grown sons and live in Baltimore County, Maryland. For more information, visit www.drbencarson.com.

Cecil Murphey, author of over forty books, has also assisted well-known personalities in writing their biographies.

Gregg Lewis is an award winning author or coauthor of more than fifty books, including Take the Risk and The Big Picture with Dr. Ben Carson, Tom Landry: An Autobiography, Forgiving the Dead Man Walking with Debbie Morris, Jesus M.D., and Safe at Home.

Also available from Zondervan featuring Dr. Ben Carson
Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence (Zondervan, January 2006, ISBN: 978-0-310-26900-7, $12.99) by Dr. Ben Carson with Cecil Murphey.

The Big Picture: Getting Perspective on What's Really Important (Zondervan, October 2000, ISBN: 978-0-310-23834-8, $12.99) by Dr. Ben Carson and Gregg Lewis.

Take the Risk: Learning to Identify, Choose, and Live with Acceptable Risk (Zondervan, January 2008, ISBN: 978-0-310-25973-2, $19.99) by Dr. Ben Carson and Gregg Lewis.

Zondervan, a HarperCollins company, is a world leader in Christian communications and the leading Christian publishing brand. For more than 75 years, Zondervan has delivered transformational Christian experiences through general and academic resources by influential leaders and emerging voices, and been honored with more Christian Book Awards than any other publisher.

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Mich., with offices in San Diego and Miami, Zondervan conducts events and publishes its bestselling Bibles, books, audio, video, curriculum, software, and digital products through its Zondervan, eZondervan, Zonderkidz, Youth Specialties, Editorial Vida, and National Pastors Convention brands. Zondervan resources are sold worldwide through retail stores, online, and by Zondervan ChurchSource, and are translated into nearly 200 languages in more than 60 countries. Visit Zondervan on the Internet at www.zondervan.com (mobile site: zvan.mobi).

Zonderkidz(tm), a division of Zondervan, inspires young lives through imagination and innovation. As the leader in Christian children's communications, it produces bestselling and award-winning Bibles, books, board books, graphic novels, audio, video, and digital products that awaken the hearts and touch the souls of kids under 16 and the people who love them, from family members to educators. Zonderkidz is the publisher of the NIrV (New International Reader's Version) Bible translation, the 3rd-grade reading level edition of the NIV that is ideal for children and those who speak English as a second language. Visit Zonderkidz on the Internet at www.zonderkidz.com.