The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind | A Charlotte Mason-Inspired Novel Study
Few stories capture the spirit of perseverance and curiosity quite like The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer. This was the perfect novel study for this fall, but it is great anytime.
Set in Malawi, this true story follows a young boy who refused to give up on learning—even when drought and famine forced him out of school. Through determination, imagination, and self-driven study, William taught himself how to build a windmill from scrap materials, bringing light and hope to his family and community.
As soon as I read it, I knew this would be a beautiful addition to our Charlotte Mason-style homeschool. It’s rich with themes of perseverance, innovation, and hope—perfect for weaving together literature, geography, STEM, and character lessons.
Why We Chose This Book
Our homeschool leans toward literature-rich and hands-on. I love books that spark meaningful discussion and help my kids see the world through new eyes.
William’s story checked every box:
-
Real-world science and invention
-
Global awareness and geography
-
Faith, hope, and perseverance in hardship
-
Deep character lessons rooted in determination and curiosity
It also opened the door for us to talk about gratitude and resourcefulness—how even simple things like light, water, and books are gifts we often take for granted.
How We Structured Our Study
We spent six weeks on this book, reading 2–3 chapters per week. Each lesson followed the same gentle rhythm we use for our other novel studies:
-
Discussion Questions to encourage narration and critical thinking
-
Copywork drawn from meaningful lines
-
Creative Writing Prompts for reflection or imagination
-
Deeper Dives into science, culture, and geography
-
Hands-On Activities that bring the story to life
You can adapt the pace to your family—this study fits beautifully as a once- or twice-a-week literature focus.
Hands-On Learning Highlights
I’m a big believer that the best learning happens when kids experience it with their hands as much as their minds. This book offered so many ways to do just that:
-
Got a Mancala board to experience one of William’s favorite games. This was one of my favorite games growing up! I couldn’t wait to share with my kids.
-
Cooked with corn, the staple food that sustained his family—Johnnycakes, Nsima, or even simple popcorn, all tied beautifully into the story
- Created art with Corn Kernels
-
Researched windmills to explore how electricity can come from unexpected places
-
Mapped Malawi and learned about its geography and culture
-
Ended the study with a “celebration of light,” turning off all the lights before switching on one lamp as a symbol of hope
Each of these activities gave my kids a tangible connection to William’s life and the world beyond our own.
Themes We Explored
This story opened up beautiful discussions about:
-
Perseverance through hardship
-
The value of learning and curiosity
-
Resourcefulness and innovation
-
The importance of community
-
Gratitude and global awareness
Even though William’s circumstances were vastly different from ours, my kids connected deeply to his love for learning and creativity.
Faith & Character Connection
While The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind isn’t written as a Christian story, it’s filled with deep spiritual undertones. William often references God’s guidance, the heavens opening, and the sense of purpose behind his determination — a quiet faith running beneath his actions.
One of the most powerful moments is when he says:
“Mister Geoffrey, we’re like those seeds planted on fertile soil, not on the roadside, stepped on by everyone walking past.”
This echoes Jesus’ Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:1–23, where the seed that falls on good soil represents hearts that receive truth and persevere, producing a fruitful harvest.
William believed that even in hardship, he was planted in fertile soil — that with faith, hard work, and hope, something good could grow from his life. They were not cut down during the famine, and although it was difficult, they persevered. It’s a message of resilience that aligns beautifully with the Christian call to nurture what God plants within us, trusting that our efforts will bear fruit in time.
Want to Do This Study Too?
I created a complete Charlotte Mason–inspired novel study guide to go along with this book, perfect for ages 8–12.
It includes six weeks of open-and-go lessons with discussion questions, copywork, creative writing prompts, deeper dive topics, and hands-on activities.
Final Thoughts
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind reminded all of us that learning is not limited to a classroom—and that one spark of curiosity can light up the world.
It’s the kind of story that lingers long after the last page, inspiring kids to dream big, stay curious, and never stop learning. There is also a movie adaptation we will be watching for our next family movie night!
PIN IT FOR LATER!
You must be logged in to post a comment.