The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
2010-2011
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
The Book in Common for 2010-11 is The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. Set in Malawi, this is the story of a young man whose abiding curiosity about what makes the world work, non-stop imagination, and a thirst for knowledge, lead him from the dusty backlands of his home village to the forefront of innovation and the digital age.
From the book jacket: Malawi is …"a land withered by drought and hunger, and a place where hope and opportunity were hard to find. But William had read about windmills in a book called Using Energy, and he dreamed of building one that would bring electricity and water to his village and change his life and the lives of those around him. His neighbors may have mocked him and called him misala—crazy—but William was determined to show them what a little grit and ingenuity could do.”
CSU, Chico and our community partners have adopted this book for a community read, and we look forward to a wide-ranging discussion of the book and these related themes:
- The status of Africa and its role on the world stage
- Sustainability and alternate energy
- Creativity and ingenuity
- How one person can make a difference
- Libraries as a source of innovation and inspiration
If you have connections to any of these themes, wish to participate in programming, or would like to be on a speaker’s bureau, please contact BThorlaksson@csuchico.edu. We are especially looking for those who have worked in Africa and have information to share with the larger community.
In the meantime, buy the book, read it, and talk about it! Set up a book group! The Butte County Library welcomes donations of the book for local patrons—just drop your book off at any branch of the library once you have finished it.
Visit the Resources page for images and press releases.
Visit the 2010-2011 Calendar for information on events.
Visit the Community Partners for the 2010-2011 Book in Common.
View the list of Speakers for the 2010-2011 Book in Common.