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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
I didn't like it at all. (My perspective) Some people loved it because of the idea of the book and I did too. But the book was just so slow for me. I slept while reading it. But I guess if you wanna read it just go ahead.
A simple yet powerful book that speaks to the resilience of the human spirit and the tragedy of poverty. This book made me think about how much we are held back because so many in this world do not receive an education because of their circumstances. Kamkwamba succeeded despite every odd against him, and he was lucky to have received the attention he did when he did, and was given an opportunity to rise out. But every child deserves an education and the opportunity to invent and contribute.
This is such a powerful/inspiring/infuriating story, wow. I was on the verge of tears through most of it. The intense odds William Kamkwamba overcame--near starvation during a famine, being forced to drop out of school, having access to only an extremely minimal library of books that weren't even in his own language--to be able to build a working electrical windmill... and also a radio station... like, damn, son.
This is written in a pretty straightforward way, but careful to contextualize concepts that might be stumbling blocks for American/younger readers. I think it does a pretty good job also of contextualizing things like... even though in America you have pre-made toy cars and we make ours of out garbage, it doesn't mean we didn't have super fun childhoods also. IDK, it's a good tone. William is a good narrator of his own life--this book really captures a sense of curiosity and wonder that make all of his small discoveries along the way so exciting.
I think I might be giving this 5 stars because I want to give William Kamkwamba 5 stars as a human being? But it was a really great, inspiring read and I think he and his co-author Bryan Mealer did such a good job getting his story across... so, yeah, 5 stars.
I also think this would be so good for use in a classroom, maybe paired with a STEM activity... like have kids try to build their own windmills so they can see how impressive it is, LOL.
oh also, warning: THE DOG DIES AND IT'S HORRIBLE
This is written in a pretty straightforward way, but careful to contextualize concepts that might be stumbling blocks for American/younger readers. I think it does a pretty good job also of contextualizing things like... even though in America you have pre-made toy cars and we make ours of out garbage, it doesn't mean we didn't have super fun childhoods also. IDK, it's a good tone. William is a good narrator of his own life--this book really captures a sense of curiosity and wonder that make all of his small discoveries along the way so exciting.
I think I might be giving this 5 stars because I want to give William Kamkwamba 5 stars as a human being? But it was a really great, inspiring read and I think he and his co-author Bryan Mealer did such a good job getting his story across... so, yeah, 5 stars.
I also think this would be so good for use in a classroom, maybe paired with a STEM activity... like have kids try to build their own windmills so they can see how impressive it is, LOL.
oh also, warning: THE DOG DIES AND IT'S HORRIBLE
The first half of the book was hard. It is mind boggling that prone still live in abject poverty. The second half about him problem solving with his windmill was fascinating
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
I really liked this book and found it very inspiring. The first 150 or so pages are quite hard to read as he and his entire family and village suffer such tragic times. But once William gets into the adventure of building his windmill, it is fascinating and inspiring and a very quick read. I cried many time in the last 10 pages because it was so touching.
Loved his perseverance and determination to accomplish his goals & dreams.
Loved his perseverance and determination to accomplish his goals & dreams.
William Kamkwamba and his family live in Malawi which is plagued a severe famine. William has to leave school and struggle with his family to just stay alive, but still manages to build a windmill that will eventually bring water to irrigate the family fields and protect them against the ravages of drought.
"If you want to make it, all you have to do is try"
AMAZING story about hope and finding a light at the end of the tunnel, if you have this book read it, if you dont have it buy it!!!
(and after reading it, watch the movie!!!)
AMAZING story about hope and finding a light at the end of the tunnel, if you have this book read it, if you dont have it buy it!!!
(and after reading it, watch the movie!!!)