The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Readers Edition) by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

William Kamkwamba grew up in a small village in Malawi, Africa. When severe famine struck his town and his family could no longer pay his schooling fees, he had to drop out of school. With a growing mind and a desire to learn, William spent his extra time in the village library. He gained a love of science and an intense desire to know how things work. As he learned, William had the idea to build a windmill.

Through hard work, personal research, and a variety of junkyard scraps, William built a windmill and was able to provide electricity for his family. His ingenuity made life better for his family, but also opened a new world for himself and the people of his village. This inspiring story of William’s journey toward a seemingly impossible goal will inspire readers of all ages. I came away with a broader world view and a greater appreciation for the miracle of science and technology. While this book is good for all readers, it does contain descriptions of a starving village. Younger readers might need some help processing this.

Recommended ages--10 and up