Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Viking Adult (February 7, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0670025984
ISBN-13: 978-0670025985
Price: $27.95
Purchase: Amazon | BN

Description

The inspirational story of a former Microsoft executive’s quest to build libraries around the world and share the love of books.

What’s happened since John Wood left Microsoft to change the world? Just ask six million kids in the poorest regions of Asia and Africa. In 1999, at the age of thirty-five, Wood quit a lucrative career to found the nonprofit Room to Read. Described by the San Francisco Chronicle as “the Andrew Carnegie of the developing world,” he strived to bring the lessons of the corporate world to the nonprofit sector—and succeeded spectacularly.

In his acclaimed first book, Leaving Microsoft to Change the World, Wood explained his vision and the story of his start-up. Now, he tackles the organization’s next steps and its latest challenges—from managing expansion to raising money in a collapsing economy to publishing books for children who literally have no books in their native language. At its heart, Creating Room to Read shares moving stories of the people Room to Read works to help: impoverished children whose schools and villages have been swept away by war or natural disaster and girls whose educations would otherwise be ignored.

People at the highest levels of finance, government, and philanthropy will embrace the opportunity to learn Wood’s inspiring business model and blueprint for doing good. And general readers will love Creating Room to Read for its spellbinding story of one man’s mission to put books within every child’s reach.

Review

I first learned of John Wood several months ago while watching a program called “Half the Sky” with Nick Kristof and his beautiful wife Sheryl WuDunn. The program is based on a book they both wrote together. Much like John Wood, they are doing a marvelous work around the world.

I began following Nick Kristof because he is an activist against child sex slavery in countries such as Cambodia, India, etc. Both he and his wife are proactive in girls being educate around the world, especially in oppressed nations.

On the program, Nick Kristof interviewed John Wood about the wonderful work he is doing through his nonprofit organization called Room to Read.

Creating Room To Read chronicles John Wood’s journey with Room to Read. He shares his life and the stories of various children. He also shares his vision and desire for every child to be able to read and have books. Thus, promoting global literacy.

I am inspired by his heart, devotion and sacrifice. I truly believe he and his team at Room To Read are doing an amazing job in changing the lives of so many children worldwide.

Creating Room To Read will motivate you to want to make a difference. I believe if we all did our part and donated to Room to Read, we could make John Wood’s vision come true.

I challenge you to read this book, it is life changing.

In conclusion, I want to thank Viking Penguin for sending me a complimentary copy of this book to review.

John Wood worked for Microsoft for nine years, helping grow the company’s international profile. He resigned at thirty-five and founded Room to Read, which is widely regarded as one of the world’s top nonprofit organizations. He documented his decision and the creation of Room to Read in his memoir, Leaving Microsoft to Change the World. He lives in New York City.