This is the heart-rendering and inspiring true story of a dirt poor, creative and imaginative African boy who, with old science textbooks and only the junk available, jerry rigged a windmill bringing electricity and water to his village. Overcoming obstacles the typical American teenager can't even imagine and made fun of and called crazy by townspeople, through curiosity, determination, and an Edison-like ingenuity, William persevered and changed and improved his community. Finally it came…at first a tiny light...than a surging magnificent glow. The crowd gasped and shuddered. The children pushed for a better look. 'It's true!' someone said. 'Yes,' said another. 'The boy has done it.'
Recommended by Robert L. Hicks, Librarian.
Read a-likes:
Three Cups of Tea and Stones Into Schools, Greg Mortenson I Am Malala, Malala Yousefsai Outcasts United, Warren St. John A Long Walk to Water, Linda Sue Park A Long Way Gone, Ishmael Beah Taking Flight, Michaela De Prince
No Summit out of Sight: The True Story of the Youngest Person to Climb the Seven Summits (Jordan Romero) Mountains beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World (Tracy Kidder and Michael French)
Of Beetles and Angels (Mawi Asgedom) The Soda Bottle School (Laura Kutner and Suzanne Slade)
