by Mack Keating Continuing its tradition of highlighting powerful stories that challenge perspectives and inspire change, Malden Reads announced its 2025 Book of the Year. The chosen selection, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, tells a true story of resilience, innovation, and the transformative power of education. Set in Malawi in Africa, the story follows young Kamkwamba’s journey during a devastating drought in 2001 that left families across the country facing severe hunger. Forced to leave school because of financial hardship, Kamkwamba refused to let his circumstances hold him back. In a 2009 TED Talk, Kamkwamba shared how he found hope in his local library, reading as many science books as he could get his hands on. Not knowing much English at the time, he relied on pictures, graphs, and context clues to “learn the words around them.” Three versions of this year’s book selection. From left: adult, young reader’s and children’s book. The Malden Reads book selection committee recommends the young reader’s edition for all ages, including adult,
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