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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
This is a true story of ingenuity and perseverance. This is an autobiographical account of Kamkwamba's ability to make something from practically nothing. The author has a knack for tinkering with machines, and studies electricity using borrowed books even when his family can no longer afford school. This boy's curiosity and tenacity drive him to invent, even when no one believes that what he is doing is a priority - they are just struggling for their next meal in the face of massive drought. In the end, he convinces his family to put everything they have on the line. His wind turbine invention is a success, and it will power a pump! Remarkably, the water Kamkwamba's pump draws saves the community from another year of near starvation from failed crops.
If only ingenuity in other countries was based on life or death circumstances, we would probably see a lot more perseverance in our youth. We should all look to William Kamkwamba as a model for problem solving!
If only ingenuity in other countries was based on life or death circumstances, we would probably see a lot more perseverance in our youth. We should all look to William Kamkwamba as a model for problem solving!
This book was great. I loved it and was totally engrossed from start to finish, I couldn't put it down. His thirst for knowledge and unending enthusiasm for his project is inspiring.
Read it!
I saw the author on The Daily Show and he was engaging and crazy smart.
Hopefully, the book will also be awesome.
Read it!
I saw the author on The Daily Show and he was engaging and crazy smart.
Hopefully, the book will also be awesome.
A must-read book. William Kamkwamba's story is absolutely inspiring and Brian Mealer did a fantastic job of putting his story on paper. What a great book!
A slow start, but an extraordinary tale of overcoming unspeakable hardships.
The story not only tells of William's triumphs in creating a structure unfamiliar to his culture, country & continent, but also of his daily life as a Malawian child during severe famine.
A beautiful, inspiring story of dreams come true & beating the odds.
The story not only tells of William's triumphs in creating a structure unfamiliar to his culture, country & continent, but also of his daily life as a Malawian child during severe famine.
A beautiful, inspiring story of dreams come true & beating the odds.
Certainly an inspiring story of a wonderful young thinker/inventor, but I wasn't in love with the writing. Definitely want to watch his TED talks, though!
Enjoyed it a lot but it was a little technical in parts.
Not the most amazingly written work of literature, but a completely inspiring story. It's full of innovation and hope and makes me want to go make serious global changes.
Trigger warnings: drought, animal death, starvation, death, violence.
I've been meaning to read this for the past couple of years and have never quite gotten around to it until now - better late than never?? The first...30-40%??...of the story is hard hitting, discussing Kamkwamba's childhood, the 2000 drought in Malawi and how his burning desire for education had to be put on hold several times due to his parents being unable to pay his school fees.
The remainder of the story is Kamkwamba's discovery of the library in his village and his determination to educate himself and use that education to better his community. It's an inspiring story, and in some ways I'm glad I read the young readers edition because this was hard hitting enough as it was! I'll be following with interest to see what incredible things he does next.
I've been meaning to read this for the past couple of years and have never quite gotten around to it until now - better late than never?? The first...30-40%??...of the story is hard hitting, discussing Kamkwamba's childhood, the 2000 drought in Malawi and how his burning desire for education had to be put on hold several times due to his parents being unable to pay his school fees.
The remainder of the story is Kamkwamba's discovery of the library in his village and his determination to educate himself and use that education to better his community. It's an inspiring story, and in some ways I'm glad I read the young readers edition because this was hard hitting enough as it was! I'll be following with interest to see what incredible things he does next.