Age rating and parents' guide:The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Readers Edition)
by William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer
Ages 9–14
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Readers Edition) by William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer is best for children aged 9–14. It has no violence, a few mildly scary moments, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: Famine hardship (hopeful arc).
When a terrible drought strikes his village in Malawi, fourteen-year-old William Kamkwamba's family can no longer afford his school fees. Refusing to give up on learning, he visits the local library and discovers how electricity works. Using old bicycle parts, scrap metal, and sheer determination, he sets out to build a windmill that can bring light and water to his community. This inspiring true story shows how curiosity and resourcefulness can overcome hardship and change lives.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- None
- Scary moments
- Mild
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Worth knowing: Famine hardship (hopeful arc)
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Non-fiction
- A steady start that picks up quickly
- Some illustrations
- Emotionally light
Great for kids who like
- Non-Fiction
- Science
Reading mood
- Informative
Good to talk about
- Science
- Engineering & making
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