The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. Authors
Elizabeth Zunon, Illustrator
Dial Books for Young Readers, Biography, 2012
Suitable for: Ages 6-9
Themes: William Kamkwamba, Science, Windmills, Irrigation, Children Making a Difference
Opening/Synopsis: “In an a small village in Malawi, where people had no money for lights, nightfall came quickly and hurried poor farmers to bed. But for William, the darkness was best for dreaming.” William Kamkwamba, is a 14-year-old boy who lives in a drought-stricken area of Malawi in Africa. He’s a curious boy interested in trying to figure out how car engines run and radios transmit music. He loves to study science and mechanics. When a drought hits his village and many people starve and die, William wants to help. He goes to a nearby library donated by Americans where he learns that windmills can produce electricity and pump water. He envisions a windmill outside his home pulling electricity from the breeze and bringing light to the dark valley. He sets to work to build electric wind to bring light to his village and water to soak the ground and grow crops to feed the village. The villagers think he’s crazy.
Why I like this book: This is a powerful and true story about how a boy’s dreams, imagination and mechanical talents save his village. I love this book because it encourages and empowers children to imagine and dream big. They too can make a difference like William. It also introduces children to the Malawi culture which is unlike their own. The book is written by the now grown William Kamkwamba, who is a student a Dartmouth College. The book has a lyrical feel to it and Elizabeth Zunon’s illustrations are simple, bold and stunning.
Resources: There are back pages of information about William Kamkwamba. Also Alliant Energy Kids teaches kids about alternative energies and powering toys with wind power. Visit Kids and Energy for more activities and resources about alternative power sources.
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Friday, December 14, is the anniversary of the date in 1954 that the UN General Assembly recommended there should be a Universal Children’s Day. All of those participating in author Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book Friday, are doing out part to raise awareness of the plight of children around the globe and to promote the welfare of children in the world by posting books which focus on multicultural/multiracial issues, human rights, and/or children who have helped to change the world in some way.
Brilliant choice, Pat.
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Glad you liked my choice. Great story. Love the variety of books shared today to honor Universal Children’s Day.
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I’m with Catherine – brilliant choice! I’ve been wanting to read the grown-up version of this for ages – maybe I’d actually have time to read the PB version 🙂 I think this story is just so inspiring!
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Ha! Ha! I have opted to read the children’s vesion of a book before! But, his story is an important one for kids.
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I want to read this! Excellent pick.
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Laura, know you will enjoy the book.
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I love this true story in its picture book format, Pat. It is even more precious to me having lived in Malawi! Super choice and thank you for suggesting our focus today!
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Joanna, I love this story too. It shows how kids can make change in their world. Cool that you lived in Malawai. You have a sense of the terrain and culture.
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Happy Universal Children’s Day!
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Thanks Cathy! Great book.
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Yes, I second the motion. Happy Universal Children’s Day! And thanks for picking our focus for choosing books with a multicultural/ multiracial or human rights theme. You are uncanny in finding books with a specific theme. This selection on William Kamkwamba is ideal in this theme since he made such a difference in his village. I agree that other kids reading this will be inspired to realize that they,too, can make a difference. 🙂
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Thank you Clar. You are too kind. Vivian first wrote about Universal Children’s Day and we talked about proposing the idea to Susanna. But, it was a good idea and I really loved the variety of books reviewed. I love true stories.
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Yes, true stories are the best! 🙂
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I love true stories. This one will empower kids.
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I think this sounds like and extraordinary book….just the sort of thing that inspires a life to greatness.
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Thank you Niamh. I see so many gifted children and gifted young people doing extraordinary things in te world. Their lives already express greatness. It warms my heart since they are our future.
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Wonderful choice Pat. Oh what a moving and inspiring video. Had tears in my eyes.
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Thank you Diane. It was a moving video. I liked Niamh’s comment about “inspiring greatness.” Loved your choice too.
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The older version is on my tbr list. I didn’t know there was a picture book. Great pick, Pat!
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Thanks Michelle. I like when authors also write their bios/novels in picture book form for kids.
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Oh – I can’t wait!I am aware of this story, and look forward to the PB!
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Julie, it’s an inspirational story for kids!
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I have heard so much about this book. I really do need to check it out from the library. Thanks for reviewing it.
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Darshana, this is one I know you’d be drawn to. Great message for kids that they can have an impact.
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This really sounds amazing and even more inspirational since it is a true story. Thanks for the review.
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Glad you liked the selection Carrie. Good book to inspire kids.
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Oh! This looks like a fabulous book! Another example of how a library can change lives. I love stories about Africa. So far away, physically and imaginatively. I will look for this one. Thanks!
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It is a fabulous book! I hope you check it out.
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This sounds like an amazing book about an amazing human being. Thanks.
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Sandi, you can tell by the video that William is humble and focused one helping his community.
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What an amazing, forward-thinking person. Thank you for introducing us to his story, Pat! Perfect choice for this special day.
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Thanks you Beth. I hope it’s in school libraries.
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I love stories of those less fortunate than we who have the courage to live out their dreams. Good one! And I like the connection to the library/books, which made all the difference…
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Yes, I liked that when they stopped school because of the drought, he walked to a library that was donated by Americans. He couldn’t read English, so he used a dictionary to figure out what he wanted to learn. Lots of determination!
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I love the “grown up” version of this book. It would be interesting to read the picture book version.
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Kirsten, i you’ve read the adult version, you’d enjoy the picture book version.
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What a great choice. Wonderful. 🙂 It is amazing what people (especially kids) can do! Great message about determination too!
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Erik, a great book for kids. I liked Niamh’s comment — it will “encouage kids to find their greatness!” Your generaion is crucial to the future of our world. There are many shining stars like you!
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Thank you! 🙂
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I had forgotten you had done a review of this book here. I just reviewed it. I didn’t look it up in Susanna’s blog because I thought it was a new book. Oh well. I loved reviewing it. 🙂
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Not a problem at all Clar. It’s very worthy of sharing again. I reviewed another book that featured kids around the world, and he was in that book too.
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He is quite popular. And does a lot of PR work. I read once he did six talks in one day. 🙂
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