The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind

Author:

William Kwamkamba, Bryan Mealer

Illustrator:

Anna Hymas

Published by:

Razorbill

First Published:

19 Mar 2019

Ideal for readers aged

13+y

My Review

This is a powerful book - literally! William Kwamkamba's story is a touch read, but a hugely inspiring one. He pursues knowledge with a passion and determination, and builds his windmill in the face of derision and opposition, and with extreme resourcefulness! Despite hunger and poverty, he is relentless in his pursuit of electricity. It's an inspiring read, if a tough one in places, and will give teens reading an insight into the privilege of education and lifestyle lived in the UK, and a vision of the way that science can change lives.

Heads Up!

The memoir includes memories of drought and famine during which William and his family came close to starvation, and there are descriptions of death from hunger among the villagers who are William's neighbours.

Publisher Review

Now a Netflix film starring and directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, this is a gripping memoir of survival and perseverance about the heroic young inventor who brought electricity to his Malawian village. When a terrible drought struck William Kamkwamba's tiny village in Malawi, his family lost all of the season's crops, leaving them with nothing to eat and nothing to sell. William began to explore science books in his village library, looking for a solution. There, he came up with the idea that would change his family's life forever: he could build a windmill. Made out of scrap metal and old bicycle parts, William's windmill brought electricity to his home and helped his family pump the water they needed to farm the land. Retold for a younger audience, this exciting memoir shows how, even in a desperate situation, one boy's brilliant idea can light up the world. Complete with photographs, illustrations, and an epilogue that will bring readers up to date on William's story, this is the perfect edition to read and share with the whole family.