The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Picture Book Edition
-
-
4.3 • 15 Ratings
-
-
- $10.99
-
- $10.99
Publisher Description
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.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Zunon's (My Hands Sing the Blues) oil paint and cut-paper collages amplify the entwined themes of science and magic in this adaptation of the authors' 2009 adult book. Kamkwamba was born in Malawi in 1987, and when he was 14, drought was ravaging his country. Forced to leave school to save money, Kamkwamba studied science books at the library, learning about windmills and their potential. "He closed his eyes and saw a windmill outside his home, pulling electricity from the breeze and bringing light to the dark valley." Gathering materials from the junkyard, he assembles a windmill that creates "electric wind" and even lights a light bulb. Tradition and "tales of magic" combine with the promise of technology in this inspiring story of curiosity and ingenuity. Zunon's artwork combines naturalistic and more whimsical elements; the African sun beats down on Zunon's villagers, ribbony "ghost dancers" encircle Kamkwamba's bed while he sleeps, and blue cut-paper swirls sweep toward the windmill. While the narrative simplifies Kamkwamba's creative process, an afterword provides additional detail for readers who share his mechanical inclinations. Ages 6 8.
