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.
On sale: January 5, 2016
Age: 10 and up
Grade: Grade 5 & Up
Page count: 304 Pages
ISBN: 9780147510426
Reading level: Lexile: 860L
William Kamkwamba recently graduated from Dartmouth College. The original version of his memoir
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind was a
New York Times Bestseller and a
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. He divides his time between Malawi and San Francisco, California.
Bryan Mealer is the author of
Muck City and the
New York Times bestseller
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, which he wrote with William Kamkwamba. Since publication, the book has received many honors and has been translated into over a dozen languages. Mealer is also the author of
All Things Must Fight to Live, which chronicled his years covering the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo for
Harper's and the Associated Press. His forthcoming book,
The Kings of Big Spring, a multi-generational saga about his family in West Texas, will be published by Flatiron Books in early 2018. He and his family live in Austin.
"[An] inspiring story of curiosity and ingenuity." —
Publishers Weekly"This book will appeal to adults eager to impart an uplifting Third World human-interest story, but it is also sure to resonate with children who will simply love the curiosity, resilience and resourcefulness of this doughty African youth." —
Wall Street Journal"A powerful, gorgeously illustrated children's picture book." —
The Boston Globe"This is a dynamic portrait of a young person whose connection to the land, concern for his community, and drive to solve problems offer an inspiring model." —
School Library Journal"Zunon illustrates handsomely, with contrasting cut-paper-collage details and broad, sere landscapes painted in visibly textured oils." —
Kirkus"This picture book in accessible free verse will draw kids who love to construct their own engineering gadgets." —
BooklistCooperative Children’s Book Center’s 2013 Best-of-the-year list. —
CCBC
