This book was amazing.  And it was with great self control that, just now, I restrained myself from sticking periods in between each of those words, for added emphasis!  The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, by William Kamkwamba incorporates so many lovely book-traits.  It’s got transport to another land odds are very good you’re unfamiliar with.  It’s wonderful at sharing fairly deep technical knowledge in such a way that you find what could otherwise be dry facts fascinating.  It’s a ‘real life’ story, which many kids prefer, complete with a well-rounded family.  And, most important, it’s got a story of overcoming one’s circumstances and rising above any setbacks, that will lift you out of your seat.

The life that William Kamkwambe was born into is precarious.  His father’s circumstances are pretty good early on, and his prospects high.  But the untimely death of William’s uncle and the resulting loss of the family business change all that.  The family’s circumstances are further stretched under a new (and harsh to farmers) political regime, and devastated when back-to-back flooding and drought decimate the country’s crops.  A terrible famine grips the country, and William’s family struggles from day to day to stay one step ahead of starvation.  It is from this dreadful time that William’s dreams and hopes for better things arise.

And, these may be my favorite ‘messages’ of the book, if you’ll forgive my calling them that.  First, that despite these terrible things happening to them, William and his family remain upbeat, unbitter, and willing to share.  Their generosity of spirit and generally positive outlook are refreshing and inspiring.  It’s also clear, though the book never belabors the point, that their circumstances are better for their choosing to go forward with hope and do what they can.  I love that!  And the second point is even more subtle, but so important.  If William had not been forced to drop out of school, because of the financial hit his family took in the famine, if he’d been able to realize his dream from the beginning of getting the education he wanted in an uninterrupted way, it is doubtful he would have accomplished what he did.  He was clearly a mechanical genius, but his marks in school were only so-so.  His desperate circumstances and setbacks in life quite literally opened the doorways to his success.

Of course, that was only true because he had parents who allowed him to press on, friends who helped him in a pinch, and the perseverance he needed to overcome community prejudice.  He was fortunate, later on, to get the help he eventually received from the international community.  And it’s very true that none of it would have been possible without the small library of donated books he had access to.  So, there’s one for the libraries, eh?

Such an inspiring story, on so many levels!  But, enough of my gushing.  Let’s see what Apricot-kitty has to say:

“The book was very good.  I liked it, and approve of that young man.  However, the hungry parts have left me very concerned about food.  Please make sure that my food bowl doesn’t run low…for a minimum of the next nine years.  I’m going to be hungry at least that long!”

Done!  The famine parts in the middle were handled really well, and something I think even younger middle grade kids and the sensitive types can handle with a little help.  However, they will make you hungry!  I promise, you will suddenly notice the over-abundance of food in your life.  Even if you’ve got nothing more in your cupboard than a box of baking soda!

For more interviews, giveaways, spotlights and reviews, stop by Shannon Messenger’s blog, and have a wonderful Marvelous Middle Grade Monday!

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