The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind is a picture book written by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, and illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon. William Kamkwamba always dreamed of building things, it was a passion of his. Growing up in a Malwai village, rain and water was important to fourteen year old Willian and his family, so when a drought came, his family was left with no food and no money. One day, William and his two friends went to the library and worked hard to build a windmill out of trash scraps that generated electricity, and also later on invented a machine that got water from wells. He went on to do great things and was a community hero.

A connection I have to this book is a text to self connection. I remember when I was younger, I enjoyed swimming and took lessons. However, I wasn’t very good at it. I wouldn’t pass levels, and I got frustrated with myself. It took a lot of work, but I persevered, and practiced, and I passed, and in the end, I was proud of myself. Another connection I have is a text to world connection. In poorer countries, where resources are scarce, and money is limited many children can’t afford to go to school, just like in the book, William couldn’t afford it. However, there are so many inspiring foundations and charities sending kids to school in Africa, like the Oprah Winfrey foundation, and it really warms my heart. I would definitely read it again and the book overall was a very motivating and inspiring story.

The book After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again) is a picture book written and illustrated by Dan Santat. The book tells a story about the well-known Humpty Dumpty, but it’s from his point of view, after the fall off the wall. For a long time, he was so afraid of heights, and although he longed to climb back on the wall and be near the birds, but he didn’t have the courage to. Until one day, he had a brilliant idea- he would invent a paper plane! But of course, accidents happen- it flew up onto the wall. Humpty Dumpty nearly walked away, but he faced his fears and climbed, one step at a time, up the wall, til he was no longer afraid. I really enjoyed this book. I really liked how he was scared, but was still brave. A connection I have to myself with this book is about how one time I was at a Carnival when I was younger, about to go on a scary ride. I was biting my lip trying to hold back tears, I was terrified. However, I told myself it would be fine, and I wouldn’t like it if I didn’t try it, and it ended up being one of my favorite rides. A text to media connection I have is a video I once saw online of a cheerleader. It showed progress of her hard work and her fails, but in the end she won the nationals. It was a very motivational and inspiring video. Overall, I would rate this book 5/5 and would definitely recommend it to my younger friends.

There is a picture book written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick. The story is written from the perspective of a young boy, asking questions like, “when will I get there?”, “how will I get there?”, “will there be a bunch of other people with me?”. After thinking a while about this book I assumed that “there” was about growing up and heading into the future. The young kid was confused and curious about what the future would hold, wondering, trying to find answers. A connection I have with the book is how it reminded me of how I was like as a child. I’d always wonder about what I’d have as a job, what friends I would have, what it would all be like. Now, I feel it’s a good thing the future is so broad- it gets you to dream. Another connection I have to the book is from another book about what the future holds or what the “point of life” is. Is it to follow your passion, or a person? There are many good questions it asks and really reminded me of this book. My last connection I have is a text to world connection. Often, you will see many people in real life or online asking about what direction their headed in, or what the future holds, with so many mixed opinions. The truth it’s ok to feel that way, and that almost everyone has been there at some point, questioning, just like this young child.