I have many reasons for wanting to teach but this is one of those many. Kids longing to learn and better our world is truly what inspires me to persevere towards this career more. William Kamkwamba truly overcame his obstacles of growing into poverty; he wanted his family to feel secure and happy. When he left school to aid his family in their financial struggles, I thought this would be the end to his education, but, he became resourceful and used books in the library to become knowledgeable. He truly loved to learn new things and become captivated with his determination to make a working windmill that would power his city and provide the water during drought. This book showed how education can transform a person's ideas and be the building blocks to changing the world. I hope to teach kids with such great passion to learn new things and guide them to become successful adults. Maybe one day I can travel and provide education for kids like William who are not so fortunate in educational opportunities. ( )

summary: William's hometown is struggling with no food, electricity or water. He decides to educate himself to find a solution to their problem.
reflection: This story made me think about the possibilities of using these windmills across the world. I know that there are a lot on the road to California because we see them when we drive there every year. I thought about how these amazing things could generate even just water to places in the world that do not have any. That would be so awesome!

This book would be good to use in an integrated science and engineering unit on energy. Students would be able to see how the boy in the story was able to create from the materials that he has to create energy. Students would also be able to have the challenge to build a windmill or other system to generate energy from a renewable source like wind, water or heat solving a community energy problem posed to them. ( )

What a cool true story and it really serves as an eye opening experience to read about the tremendous struggles faced even today in Africa. I guess any story of this style does some good in that it reminds that not everyone is living so well as we are. Also it highlights the importance of education and ingenuity in the overcoming of life's difficult struggles. Great story. ( )

This story is based on the life of William Kamkwamba. I was saddened by the story but inspired by William's inquisitive nature which propelled him to build a windmill in spite of his fellow villagers referring to him as "misala". I enjoyed it. Good for teaching children about hardships and how to overcome them and introducing them to a multicultural world. ( )