What would you do if your family didn't have enough to eat? If they didn't have access to running water or electricity? What if you had no money to fix any of it? If you're anything like William, then you'd head to the library! In this true story, William describes how he combined knowledge gained from studying library books with scrap metal and junk to make a windmill that changed his life forever.

This book is absolutely fascinating. Of course as a librarian I'm a sucker for any story about the transformative powers of libraries. William is remarkable and hearing his story in his own words was incredibly moving. Added morals about STEM, recycling, and life in Africa make this an ideal fit for classroom reading. It's an engaging read for students on their own too.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Readers Edition) by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer

Erica's Picks
4th - 8th grade
Tags: Biography, Makers, Nonfiction, People of Color, Social Justice

Do you like to get your clothes from the mall or would you rather find something vintage in a thrift shop? It's an easy choice for Will. She prefers things with a bit of history to them. She lives in an antique shop with her aunt and a dog passed down from her grandfather. Even her name is second-hand, from her great-great-grandmother Wilhelmina. But Will doesn't mind. The antiques give her plenty of opportunity to indulge in her hobby of making lamps from objects ranging from teacups to parasols. Summer is almost over and she's determined to make the last few weeks count. But when a storm comes that knocks out power to the town, everything changes. 

The best thing about this comic are the characters. Will has a wonderful old soul, Autumn puts on great puppet shows and Noel likes to test out new cookie recipes. The details are wonderful from the little references to Doctor Who to the fact that the gutters and edges of the pages during the blackout are  black so you can see the effect of the storm even on the closed book. The book has a DIY mentality and the characters put on a very creative arts carnival. I'd give this to anyone looking for a realistic, character-driven comic. Fans of Gulledge's other comic (Page by Paige) or the comics of Raina Telgemeier will be sure to enjoy this one.

Will & Whit by Laura Lee Gulledge

Erica's Picks
4th - 8th Grade
Tags: Character Driven, Comics, Contemporary Fiction, Friendship, Issues Fiction, Makers, People of Color, Summer Vacation