Book Review: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Authors: William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer
Illustrations: Elizabeth Zunon
Interest Level: Ages 6 and Up
Click Here for Book Website

From the Book Jacket: Heroes can be any age. When William Kamkwamba was fourteen years old, living in a drought-ravaged area of Malawi in Africa, he pursued a dream that brought electricity and running water to his desperately poor village. 

William had always been interested in how mechanical things work, and after poring over old science textbooks, painstakingly teaching himself English so that he could understand them, he became determined to build a windmill.  The people in h is village called him crazy, but he knew he could succeed. Slowly but surely, he turned junkyard scraps into a functioning windmill, and brought electricity to his home and eventually life-saving water to his village. William's story shows no matter how young you are or how huge the challenge - creativity, determination, and hard work can help save your world.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: The character trait we are focusing on at school this month is Perseverance. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind fits that description perfectly. I absolutely love this story and our students have been inspired by William's courage and never give up attitude. I sometimes think about where the kids I work with will be when they are adults and I imagine some of them might have hard moments and truly struggle. So thankful for books that help me mentor and guide students to NEVER GIVE UP! Reading books about determination and perseverance is a message children need to hear A LOT. I hope to find more books as awesome as this one.

Watch Part Of William's Story Here:


A Link to This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful: 

Book Review: Being Wendy

Author: Fran Drescher
Illustrated by Amy Blay
Interest Level: Ages 6 and Up

From the Book Jacket: Wendy was afraid to say that she felt different from everyone else. But all residents of Boxville must choose a box to wear - for life. These boxes are labeled with what each person does. The teacher wears a TEACHER box. The police officer wears a POLICE OFFICER box. Even the poodle wears a POODLE box!

Now it's time for Wendy to choose her box. Just pick one, everyone tells her. It's simple. But it's not simple, because Wendy loves LOTS of different things - from playing basketball to performing onstage. Wendy's big ideas make her feel lonely...will she ever fit in?

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Now I know you are rolling your eyes and saying - Oh Splendid! Another celebrity thinks they can write a children's book!! But let me just be the first to say, WELL DONE, FRAN DRESCHER aka "The Nanny"!  Well done. Being Wendy is so creative with an AWESOME message of following your dreams and not letting yourself be influenced or limited by what others think you should be....you are special, unique, and different. Love! 

The kids were HOOKED and intrigued as to where this story was going. But the best part was getting to help the students figure out how the message applies to their own lives. Books are such magic. Get creative and use some paper bags as a fun visual. I drew a question mark on a paper bag, cut out arm holes, and had a student wear it. Each student then got a brown piece of paper with directions to list their interests and strengths.

Favorite part of book - when Wendy tries to hug her dad - but he wears a box too so it gets in the way. This sparked such great conversation about acceptance.....GET THIS ONE!
  
A Link To This Book and Others You Might Find Helpful:

Book Review: Me ... Jane

Author/Illustrator: Patrick McDonnell
Interest Level: Ages 4 and Up
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

From the Publisher: In his characteristic heartwarming style, Patrick McDonnell tells the story of the young Jane Goodall and her special childhood toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. As the young Jane observes the natural world around her with wonder, she dreams of "a life living with and helping all animals," until one day she find that her dream has come true.

One of the world's most inspiring women, Dr. Jane Goodall is a renowned humanitarian, conservationist, animal activist, environmentalist, and United Nations Messenger of Peace. In 1977 she founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), a global nonprofit organization that empowers people to make a difference for all living things.

With anecdotes taken directly from Jane Goodall's autobiography, McDonnell makes this very true story accessible for the very young -- and young at heart.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Just when I think I'm done gushing about a book....another one takes my breath away. I am so head over heels for Me...Jane as were the students. The illustrations are darling. This was my chosen read for Earth Day last week. Yep, I even read it to the 5th graders and they were so engaged as they listened to Jane's dream to one day go to Africa and live a life helping animals. Then on the last page comes a REAL photograph of Jane Goodall living out this dream. GASP went the kids. The kind of gasp I love. Yes, dream big!

In a time of state testing and constant assessments it's a breath of fresh air to read such an encouraging uplifting TRUE story. I want kids to remember there is nothing wrong with having a dream of doing something special with their lives. 

Book Review: Iggy Peck, Architect

Author: Andrea Beaty

illustrated by David Roberts

Interest Level: Ages 4-9

About This Book: Meet Iggy Peck—creative, independent, and not afraid to express himself! In the spirit of David Shannon’s No, David and Rosemary Wells’s Noisy Nora, Iggy Peck will delight readers looking for irreverent, inspired fun.

Iggy has one passion: building. His parents are proud of his fabulous creations, though they’re sometimes surprised by his materials—who could forget the tower he built of dirty diapers? When his second-grade teacher declares her dislike of architecture, Iggy faces a challenge. He loves building too much to give it up! With Andrea Beaty’s irresistible rhyming text and David Roberts’s puckish illustrations, this book will charm creative kids everywhere, and amuse their sometimes bewildered parents.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: As our students are in the middle of the tiring schedule of state standards testing (don't worry, I won't go all crazy on that topic - but for the record....it's not all about reading, writing, and math), I am reminded of an AWESOME book that encourages multiple intelligences.  Iggy Peck, Architect isn't just about architecture, it's about believing in your talent no matter what the 'haters' say.  When Iggy's teacher shuts down his dreams through harsh criticism (at first I was like - OH, NO YOU DIDN'T), I thought about how our words can make or break a child's day. Our words can have an impact on a child's educational journey. This book has had a profound impact when I've shared it. I almost dread having to read the page when Iggy's teacher displays her dislike towards him. But that's truly when the message of the book starts. I'm so happy I found Iggy for my bookshelf.

Book Review: Someday

Author: Eileen Spinelli

illustrated by Rosie Winstead

Interest Level: Ages 5-10

About This Book: Children will savor each page of this delightful book that alternates between Someday and the present. Goldie dreams of a busy future as an archaeologist, an animal scientist, an Olympic gymnast, and more. On the alternate pages she enjoys being a kid and hones the skills that she will need to achieve those goals–digging, counting, cartwheels–all those things that look like playing. Winstead's stylish art is a perfect fit for the whimsical text. The adorable little girl is all spindly limbs, buck-teeth, and flyaway hair, even in her dreams of adulthood. Observant readers will have fun comparing and contrasting the background elements in the someday/right now pairs of pages as they read this empowering book again and again.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: I love this book. The cover really grabbed me as I walked through my local bookstore. I read the first page and was sold:

Someday I am going to be a great artist. I will wear a blue smock. I will carry my paints to the beach to paint the sea. A very rich person will offer to buy my painting for two million dollars. But I will smile. And I will say: "I'm sorry, this painting is not for sale. It is a gift for my art teacher." Someday...

Okay, don't you love that?? Kids LOVE this book and it is uplifting and fun to read to them. If you want to encourage children to dream with unending imagination, find a spot for it on your bookshelf! Students had a lot of fun talking about their Somedays.