2022 One Book Selection Made By Sarasota County Libraries

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — The 2022 One Book, One Community selection, picked by Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources, is “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind.”

The One Book, One Community program launched in 1996 in Seattle to share a love of reading across communities.

In “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind,” author William Kamkwamba shares his true story of “human inventiveness and perseverance, and the power to overcome adversity,” according to a county news release.

He was born in Malawi, a country plagued by drought and hunger. An avid reader, he learned about windmills in books he borrowed from his local library.

Kamkwamba dreamed of building a windmill in Malawi to bring electricity and running water to his small village. Using pictures from old science textbooks, scrap metal, and spare tractor and bicycle parts, he figured out how to build one.

Renee Di Pilato, the libraries and historical resources director, said the book was both inspirational and uplifting, and available in multiple formats for kids, teens and adults.

"This (One Book, One Community) program encourages discussion across the county, and this book perfectly illustrates the power of one person’s ability to change their community for the better,” she said.

A committee selects the One Book title each year and then hosts a public event with the author and readers. This celebration includes follow-up programs at county libraries and other venues and has featured both local and bestselling authors.

Sarasota County will host Kamkwamba for two upcoming public programs:

• Feb. 17, 2 p.m., at Suncoast Technical College Conference Center, 4445 Career Lane, North Port.
• Feb. 18, 7 p.m., at Selby Public Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota.

No registration is required for either event.