William Kamkwamba Books In Order

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

William Kamkwamba
William Kamkwamba is a non-fiction author best known for his debut novel The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Born in Malawi in 1987, Kamkwamba started school in Wimble Primary School and later proceeded to secondary school. However, due to the famine of 2001, his family could no longer see him through school. This did not discourage him from developing the windmill he always dreamt of building for his family. His prototype was a success, and he continued to improve his innovation to meet his society’s needs. In 2008, Kamkwamba was sponsored to attend the African Leadership Academy, where students were taken through rigorous training in leadership, entrepreneurship, and education. To date, Kamkwamba remains an inspiration for those who dare to dream big.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a memoir of a Malawian boy who dared to dream big and changed his society in the process. William Kamkwamba was enchanted by how electricity worked from a young age. Ever since he read a book titled Using Energy, Kamkwamba dreamed that he would build a windmill that would ensure his village had access to water and electricity. He often shared his dream with others, but this earned him nothing but ridicule. His neighbor’s often referred to him as masalas, which translates to Crazy. However, this did not prevent the young boy from following his dreams.

Even though he was born in a country that believed more in magic, the young boy only dreamt of studying science in his homeland’s best school. However, when a severe drought plagued his country, his family was left destitute and with no money to pay for his schooling. The eighty dollars required to keep him in school was too much for the family, so Willian had to drop out of school and help his family look for food. This was no easy task. Thousands were moving throughout the country, and since food was limited, many died of starvation.

Even with the odds against him, William refused to give up on his dreams. With little else but determination and the few pieces of scientific textbooks at his disposal, William set to bring electricity and water to his family. At the time, only two percent of the population in Malawi could afford this luxury. Using tractor bits, bicycle parts, and scrap metal William made a windmill. His creation was crude, but it was operable. The windmill could power four lights. William went on to make another machine that worked as a water pump. This meant that his family wouldn’t suffer during the next drought, and the family could afford decent meals even when there was a famine in the country.

Soon enough, neighbors started noticing William’s genius, and there was enough evidence to show that the crazy boy knew what he was talking about. William became an inspiration not just to his countrymen but to others in different parts of the world.

This is a remarkable story of human inventiveness. It is a tale of hard work, determination, and success. This book is inspiring for millions of children who know what it feels to sleep on an empty stomach or live without easy access to food and water. It is also uplifting for the big dreamers who know they can do a lot, but their circumstances make them doubt themselves. Like William, anyone can achieve the goal they set to do. Sure, challenges may come now and then, but our attitudes towards these setbacks determine our success.

For young readers, the book is ide for many reasons. One the story is true, so this is not something someone just made up. The star in the book is also young when he makes his innovation. Any fourteen-year-old will easily identify with him, and while his circumstances may have been different, he had the curiosity of a young mind. This book emphasizes the importance of education. Were it not for the books that stirred William’s interest, his life would have been entirely different. Even for adults, this story serves as a reminder that we should appreciate what we have. It also shows that children are capable of doing a lot of good, and with a little encouragement, they can achieve what everyone thought to be impossible. For most readers, life is much easier, and there is no comparison with what William had to endure.

William is a lovable character. Despite the ridicule, he chooses to push on and do everything possible to improve the life of his family. It is also notable how well he responds to unforeseen circumstances. Instead of moping and being bitter about being forced to drop out of school, the young boy quickly accepts the circumstances. He goes on to come up with such a remarkable innovation with minimal resources at his disposal. It is admirable that he also considered the same neighbors who ridiculed him when his invention became a success. This young boy made life easy for everyone in his village by ensuring that electricity and water were readily available.

Following the success of this memoir, Kamkwamba rewrote this book for a younger audience. The message is still the same, but the content is more palatable for young readers. This young reader edition comes with illustrations, photographs, and an epilogue on William’s story. If you are looking for a motivating read for your science-loving children, this version is perfect. The young reader version is also a good choice if you are looking for a book you can read as a family and learn a thing or two about life, dedication, and dreaming bog.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a moving and inspiring story about a young boy who defied all odds to achieve something that changed his village. What started as a desire became a reality when William used scrap metal to make a windmill that powered his home and pumped water for his family. William did not have much at his disposal, but he used whatever little he had to make his dreams come true. The book is perfect if you are looking for a quick, uplifting, and inspiring read.