What if all of Malden reads the same book?
Malden Reads seeks to answer that question.
Malden Reads is a community reading organization run by city leaders and residents in collaboration with the Malden Public Library and Urban Media Arts. Each season, we invite the city of Malden, Massachusetts to read a selected book and participate in a program of events, projects, and community initiatives centered around the themes of the book.
THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND
Malden Reads is excited to announce The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba as the 2025 Community Read selection. Hailed as “a moving and exciting story” by former Vice President Al Gore, this inspiring memoir aims to bring the Malden community together to explore themes of innovation, sustainability, and the power of perseverance.
Set in drought-stricken Malawi, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind tells the remarkable story of a young boy who, despite immense challenges, used his ingenuity to bring electricity and water to his village. William Kamkwamba, faced with food scarcity and limited resources, dreamed of harnessing the power of wind energy after learning about windmills in school textbooks. Undeterred by the skepticism of his fellow villagers, who called him “misala” (crazy), William’s relentless determination and creativity transformed his community, proving the impact that one person can make.
Carter Roberts, CEO of World Wildlife Fund (WWF), praised the book, calling it “a testament to the power of a dream and the freedom that comes from accomplishing a sustainable way of life.” Roberts emphasized how its message resonates more strongly than ever today, as communities around the world, including right here in Malden, face the impacts of climate change and food insecurity. “Read this book, act on its message, and pass it on,” Roberts urged.
Malden Reads will use The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind to spark meaningful conversations about sustainability and innovation. Through partnerships with community groups, we will explore themes such as water conservation, gardening for food sources, and the importance of teaching science to the next generation.
As we embark on this collective reading journey, Malden Reads invites the community to not only read William Kamkwamba’s story but to reflect on its relevance to our own lives. Together, we can explore how we might bring positive change to our city and beyond, supporting both human and environmental well-being.
The Malden Reads program will begin in early 2025. Details on events, including book discussions, film screenings, and other special events, will be posted as they become available on this website and on social media (@maldenreads). Also, sign up for our e-newsletter to keep abreast of the program.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
William Kamkwamba (born 1987) is a Malawian inventor and author who worked on projects to improve the lives of his family and the residents of the rural village in Malawi where he grew up. As a teenager in 2001, he made a windmill out of scrap materials that provided electricity to his family’s house. Kamkwamba also helped build windmills to provide clean water for drinking and running an irrigation system for crops.
Kamkwamba, in 2008, founded a non-profit organization, Moving Windmills, to support communities in Malawi with hands-on development projects. This includes sending children and underprivileged people to schools, building low-cost wells, installing solar powered pumps, and renovating local schools with new facilities and learning materials.
Kamkwamba is one of four recipients of the 2010 GO Ingenuity Award for inventors, artists, and makers that promote the sharing of their innovations and skills with marginalized youth in developing nations.
In 2014, Kamkwamba received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, where he was elected to the Sphinx Senior Honor Society.
In 2013 TIME magazine named Kamkwamba one of the “30 People Under 30 Changing The World.”
Kamkwamba is the subject of the documentary film William and the Windmill, which won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature at the 2013 South By Southwest film festival in Austin, Texas. In 2019, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind was adapted into a film on Netflix.
WHERE TO GET THE BOOK
CHECK OUT A COPY FROM THE MALDEN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Use your library card to reserve and/or check out a copy from the Malden Public Library. There are plenty of print copies as well as the e-book format.
BUY A COPY AT THE GALLERY@57 ON PLEASANT STREET
The Gallery@57 is one of Malden’s best retail shops! They are located at 57 Pleasant Street in downtown Malden and run by a collective of local artists working to bring art to our local economy and foster a stronger community. By purchasing a copy at Gallery@57, you have the opportunity to support a local small business and connect with the talented artists and entrepreneurs who run the shop. A percentage of the purchase will go to Malden Reads.
VISIT YOUR FAVORITE LOCAL BOOKSELLER
There are lots of local booksellers near Malden and in the greater Boston area. Our bookseller of choice is The Book Oasis in Stoneham. They have been a collaborative partner with Malden Reads for several years. We also are newly partnering with Molly’s Bookstore in Melrose, and they also have Malden Reads selections.
Other languages as well as an e-book and audio versions will also be available. In addition to the main book selection each year, Malden Reads selects companion books for younger readers and English language learners so that everyone can participate in the annual program.
Malden Reads distributes free books and resources to schools, community programs, and “Little Free Libraries” in Malden, offers the books in quantity and in a variety of formats for lending through the Malden Public Library, and provides sales of books at local events and locations. To contact the committee with questions about the book, to collaborate on a program, to volunteer, or to be added to the email newsletter list, please email maldenreads@gmail.com.