Beyond the Book: Background information when reading The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Summary |  Excerpt |  Reading Guide |  Reviews |  Beyond the Book |  Read-Alikes |  Genres & Themes |  Author Bio

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Creating Currents of Electricity and Hope

by William Kamkwamba
  • BookBrowse Review:
  • Critics' Consensus (2):
  • Readers' Rating (5):
  • First Published:
  • Oct 1, 2009, 288 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Aug 2010, 320 pages
  • Rate this book

About This Book

Beyond the Book

This article relates to The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Print Review

Moving Windmills Project
Inspired by William Kamkwamba's story, the Moving Windmills Project was founded in 2008 to support rural economic development and education projects in Malawi. The nonprofit group works with local leaders to provide food, clothing, shelter, sanitation, health, education and community-building.

Completed projects include:

  • wind and solar power for village homes
  • re-roofing village homes
  • protection from rain and fire
  • water sanitation and hygiene education
  • disease prevention
  • anti-malarial bed-net distribution
  • bedding distribution
  • warmth and pest protection
  • a water well and solar-powered water pump
  • drip irrigation
  • improved food supply with multiple maize crops and vegetable gardens
  • running water taps free-of-charge for all villagers
  • improved sanitation and productivity
  • distribution of fertilizer, urea and seed
  • uniforms, shoes and equipment for the village soccer team
  • children's and young adult books distribution
  • improved reading skills and increased literacy in children
  • educational scholarships
Click here to read about, and donate to, current projects such as a windmill to power radios and charge mobile phones at William's local primary school; books for the village library through contributions to Books for Africa and Better World Books; and funds for a new primary school.

Moving Windmills Short Film

Filed under

Article by Jo Perry

This "beyond the book article" relates to The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. It originally ran in November 2009 and has been updated for the August 2010 paperback edition. Go to magazine.

This review is available to non-members for a limited time. For full access become a member today.
Membership Advantages
  • Reviews
  • "Beyond the Book" articles
  • Free books to read and review (US only)
  • Find books by time period, setting & theme
  • Read-alike suggestions by book and author
  • Book club discussions
  • and much more!
  • Just $60 for 12 months or $20 for 3 months.
  • More about membership!

BookBrowse Book Club

  • Book Jacket
    The Devil Finds Work
    by James Baldwin
    A book-length essay on racism in American films, by "the best essayist in this country" (The New York Times Book Review).

Members Recommend

  • Book Jacket

    Girl Falling
    by Hayley Scrivenor

    The USA Today bestselling author of Dirt Creek returns with a story of grief and truth.

  • Book Jacket

    Jane and Dan at the End of the World
    by Colleen Oakley

    Date Night meets Bel Canto in this hilarious tale.

  • Book Jacket

    The Antidote
    by Karen Russell

    A gripping dust bowl epic about five characters whose fates become entangled after a storm ravages their small Nebraskan town.

Who Said...

Show me the books he loves and I shall know the man...

Click Here to find out who said this, as well as discovering other famous literary quotes!

Wordplay

Solve this clue:

T B S of T F

and be entered to win..

Your guide toexceptional          books

BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.