When exam results are released, William can’t wait to find out which secondary school he will attend. He’s disappointed to learn that his grades were only good enough to get him a spot in the lowest-ranked school. However, when he finds out that Gilbert will be attending the same school, he’s relieved. Despite the fact that the school is hardly funded—there aren’t even any desks—William and his classmates begin the school year eager to learn. William is exposed to things he’s never learned before. For example, seeing Malawi on a map is exciting.

But after those first few weeks, excitement dwindles, as does the student population. The famine makes it difficult for students to stay in school. Many of them are needed to try to produce food at home, while others, like William, simply can’t afford the cost of attending school. William ends up having to drop out.

As the famine worsens, so too does the situation in William’s home and beyond. Tensions are rising, leading to confrontations under the Kamkwamba roof; meanwhile, in the outside world, hundreds of people are perishing due to the lack of food. One day, William hears a radio broadcast featuring

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