Roald Dahl is getting another well-deserved read by past fans and new readers. Most of us are familiar with his children's books, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fanatastic Mr. Fox and The Witches .(The movie starring Angelica Houston is a wonderful treat for the adults, too.) I ran across this short story collection and it proved to be a delight in a Twilight Zone sort of way. These thirteen twisted tales for the teen and adult readers will show you another wonderful side of this suberb storyteller and the opening story, The Great Automatic Grammatizator, will make all book lovers squirm.

Malawian, William Kamkwamba, writes of growing up in rural Malawi with simplicity and optimism. You'll grin at some of his memories of stretching the limits of grown-ups' patience and rules. The memoir reads like any other childhood reflections from kids here in the U.S. or elsewhere. Kids are kids no matter where they grow up. But, gradually this memoir takes you deeper into a world we can barely imagine. In Malawi there are few social safety nets and if you can't grow or buy food you will starve. It reminded me of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. A father will do anything to feed his family and a boy will do anything to help his father and mother. Ultimately hope prevails and then gently expands.

William and his buddies Gregory and Gilbert are energetic, bright and they, with the inventiveness and leadership of William, reshape their world and bring hope to their families and community. You will be energized and inspired by this up-lifting story of the power one young boy has to change his world. A recommend this for church and school groups and book clubs.