*Lenny Kravitz will make his motion picture debut alongside Mo'Nique, Paula Patton and newcomer Gabourey "Gabbie" Sidibe in the upcoming film "Push," an independently financed adaptation of the bestselling novel by Sapphire (Ramona Lofton).

The story centers on Clareece "Precious" Jones (Sidibe), an overweight, illiterate, African-American teen in Harlem who is about to give birth to her second child when she is accepted into an alternative school, reports Variety. There, a teacher (Patton) helps her find a better path in life.

Mo'nique plays the girl's mother and Kravitz plays a nurse who shows the girl some much-needed TLC.

Lee Daniels will direct and co-produce under his Lee Daniels Entertainment along with financiers Smokewood Entertainment Group.

"Push" is "as important to me as 'Roots,' and I'm honored that Sapphire entrusted me with her book," said Daniels, who produced the Halle Berry film "Monster's Ball" and "The Woodsman" before making his directorial debut on the Cuba Gooding Jr. starrer "Shadowboxer." Sidibe, meanwhile, won the part of Precious after 300 young girls auditioned in casting calls around the country.

Production on "Push" has just begun in New York.