ninjakiwi12's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
Fun(ny) fact(s): Summer reading challenge Bingo with the Dayspring youth #20: a book about a place I have not visited!
Favorite quote/image: "A quote I read recently from the great Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. that says, 'If you can't fly, run; if you can't run, walk; if you can't walk, crawl.' We must encourage those still struggling to keep moving forward. My fellow students and I talk about creating a new kind of Africa, a place of leaders instead of victims, a home of innovation rather than charity." (pg. 285-286)
Honorable mention: "This was the same forest where I'd been convinced I'd been bewitched by the bubble gum man, the same forest where I'd accepted magic and been defeated, and now I was back there to cut down trees to build a ladder to science and creation–something greater and more real than any magic in the land." (pg. 199)
Why: Kamkwamba's memoir was a childhood favorite of mine as I was inspired by his story of innovation, love for his family, and perseverance in the face of extreme harship, all made possible with STEM books from a local free library, junk yard scraps, the help of his friends, amd his engineering mind. From being forced to drop out of a school during a national famine to giving a speech at a TED conference, Kamkwamba never loses his grounding in his family's sustenance farm in Kasungu, Malawi, his belief in the power of dreams, and the untapped potential of African ingenuity.
Favorite quote/image: "A quote I read recently from the great Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. that says, 'If you can't fly, run; if you can't run, walk; if you can't walk, crawl.' We must encourage those still struggling to keep moving forward. My fellow students and I talk about creating a new kind of Africa, a place of leaders instead of victims, a home of innovation rather than charity." (pg. 285-286)
Honorable mention: "This was the same forest where I'd been convinced I'd been bewitched by the bubble gum man, the same forest where I'd accepted magic and been defeated, and now I was back there to cut down trees to build a ladder to science and creation–something greater and more real than any magic in the land." (pg. 199)
Why: Kamkwamba's memoir was a childhood favorite of mine as I was inspired by his story of innovation, love for his family, and perseverance in the face of extreme harship, all made possible with STEM books from a local free library, junk yard scraps, the help of his friends, amd his engineering mind. From being forced to drop out of a school during a national famine to giving a speech at a TED conference, Kamkwamba never loses his grounding in his family's sustenance farm in Kasungu, Malawi, his belief in the power of dreams, and the untapped potential of African ingenuity.
dlberglund's review against another edition
4.0
What an inspiring memoir/biography of this young boy, (who is only 26 years old now!) who survived famine and being refused an education due to monetary constraints. Much of the book actually centers around the difficult years--the years when his extended family lost a huge part of their land, when drought led to horrible crop yields, when every mouthful of food had to be extended further and further, until people were eating sawdust. This part of the book was difficult and painful to read and process. William's formal education was thwarted during this time, when there simply was no money to pay for his secondary education. The local library--3 shelves of books-- kept his mind and time occupied with big ideas about electricity. (Yay for librarians!) We hear of William's curiosity, but it takes about halfway through the book before I felt like I could really follow the excitement of learning and creation. The pace picks up as William enters this part of his journey, and where it takes him is enlightening and exciting. Definitely worth reading, and I think we should keep our eyes out for his name again and again.
findyourgoldenhour's review against another edition
5.0
Alex and I listened to this one together for his book discussion group. What a story! Truly inspiring. In addition to being a good story, it also brings up important themes to discuss. I kept thinking about how poverty stands in the way of education, and how all of society loses when we deny brilliant young minds access. I also think it was an important reminder for both Alex and me to see that we are so ridiculously lucky to live the lives that we do. The famine that strikes this family was unimaginable to our spoiled western ears. For this young man to figure out how to generate electricity in these circumstances was incredible.
saralynnburnett's review against another edition
4.0
This was a very inspirational book. The parts I loved most were learning about the school system in Malawi and all the little bits that speak to the African attitude of making do with what you have. The 90 pages or so that covered the famine (during which time William decided to begin work on the windmill) were so well written I swear I felt hungry - those 90 pages were a harrowing read. There is a lot of technical information in this book that was mostly lost on me but all in all I really enjoyed it.
doughnuts1's review against another edition
4.0
What an inspirational book! William's story is one of a kind. What I truly loved about the book was how William's first attempt at bettering his future failed when he wasn't accepted into his top school. At first he was disappointed but I liked how he then focused on the positive things like being able to go to school. Which is different from most stories about people persevering since usually they are rewarded from studying hard the first time.
rosered879's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating story, but the writing style grated on me.