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Of Beetles and Angels Lib/E: A Boy's Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard
A compelling and inspiring survival story about the immigrant experience.This acclaimed memoir tells the unforgettable story of a young boy's journey from a refugee camp in Sudan to Chicago, where his family survived on welfare. Mawi followed his father's advice to "treat people...as though they were angels sent from heaven," and realized his dream of a full-tuition scholarship to Harvard University.
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First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 456 reviews
December 18, 2016
"True power comes from focusing on what we can give, not just on what we can take." This memoir, based on the experiences of Mawi Asgedom, an immigrant from Sudan, Africa captures the spirit of what community should be all about, whether it be the city in which you live, the school community or whatever group you find yourself in. Although he came to this country poor and unable to speak the language he overcame these hurdles and went on to graduate with a full ride scholarship to Harvard. This is a story about overcoming being invisible to your classmates and through discipline and determination becoming an educated, thinking, feeling person who thinks about others. I especially loved the chapter on "Eyeing the Mountaintop". As Mawi enters high school he knew what he needed to do in order to reach his goals. His plan was deliberate and disciplined.
There is much to offer readers in this book: an understanding of another culture, turning hardship into motivation, being an angel instead of a beetle in your community.
Oh....Mawi grew up in Wheaton, Ill a stones throw away from Yorkville. He attended Wheaton North, HS.
There is much to offer readers in this book: an understanding of another culture, turning hardship into motivation, being an angel instead of a beetle in your community.
Oh....Mawi grew up in Wheaton, Ill a stones throw away from Yorkville. He attended Wheaton North, HS.
May 18, 2017
This is such an inspiring quick read that everyone should complete to learn lessons of kindness, perseverance, determination and acceptance.
May 9, 2017
Great read! Definitely a book that I will share with my middle school students of a young refugee who made his way through hardships and ended up graduating from Harvard. I loved his story and believe that everyone can read this book and take some meaning away!
February 11, 2025
3.5 stars
A very gripping start of this narration which grabbed my attention right from the start. Not too long but enough to paint a picture of the hardship the family had to endure while at the same time very inspirational. May I recognise the angels presenting themselves as beetles.
Characters 8
Atmosphere 8
Writing Style 7
Setup 7
Plot 7
Intrigue 7
Logic 7
Enjoyment 7
Narration 7
A very gripping start of this narration which grabbed my attention right from the start. Not too long but enough to paint a picture of the hardship the family had to endure while at the same time very inspirational. May I recognise the angels presenting themselves as beetles.
Characters 8
Atmosphere 8
Writing Style 7
Setup 7
Plot 7
Intrigue 7
Logic 7
Enjoyment 7
Narration 7
September 5, 2017
To me the power of this book is that it gets the reader THINKING about his/her own life actions. We should ditch preconceived notions and accept all humans to at least give them a chance. We should put aside popularity and status to make all people feel like angels instead of beetles. We should not only worry about ourselves and our own family and friends but also think about the world as a whole outside of our own bubble. This book is life-changing in that it makes me feel eternally thankful for my blessings and challenges me to do better all at the same time. I'm appreciative of this shared community read!
Want to read
September 30, 2011My father's review: 3/5/07
By birth Mawi was an Eritrean/Ethiopian, one parent of each, living in Ethiopia. His father, Haileab, was a self trained doctor in Ethiopia,
licensed as an "Advanced Dresser". In the area where they lived, Haileab was the only source of even quasi medical care; so, when it was needed,
he did his best to deliver it, and was pretty good at it. He was the proverbial "country doctor". Traveling long distances to deliver babies,
staying up all night with a patient, and all the rest of the legends. Years later, a friend of Mawi went back to visit and found the stories of
"Father Haileab" still current.
When Mawi was three, during the Ethiopian civil wars, Haileab had to flee to Sudan because he had incensed all side of the conflict by treating
those of the other sides. Months later Mawi’s mother, Tsege, had to take the four children, including an infant younger than Mawi, on foot to
rejoin Haileab in Sudan. It was a trek of hundreds of miles. They had to abandon everything that they could not carry with them. Think what was
required of Tsege in doing this! The family lived in Sudan for three years where Haileab worked in a clinic, presumably still as a quasi
doctor.
Then Haileab decided that they must emigrate to the United States. Perhaps he foresaw the degeneration of Sudan. Nevertheless, it meant
abandoning his quasi professional status, as he knew that in America he could be no more than a common laborer. They arrived in Chicago with only
what they could carry. Only Haileab could speak a little English. In 1999 Mawi delivered the commencement address at Harvard University. He was
president of the senior class.
This book is about how that happened. It could be said that in one word it was motivation. Motivation from his parents – some received by stern
dictate, but mainly from their example. He says that his true education came from the angels, those that willingly helped in need. The Ruth
Purkaples (my sister) that he encountered. He says: "Of the gifts that we can give, the greatest is to see beauty in each other – in essence to
give beauty to each other. When we give that beauty, we prepare our hearts to receive it back."
Haileab was an Arch-angel. Even in the United States, he would go to help – anyone – particularly refugees. Often it would be to interpret for them
(he knew, to some extent, six languages). When he interpreted in court, he became a quasi attorney. One of his defenses would have been a great
credit to Rumpole of the Bailey. Do read this book, and when you do, read all of it, even the acknowledgments, and the teaser for "The Code", another book by Mawi. His commencement address in in the Epilogue. It is short. It is humorous. It is inspiring.
Robert Haines
By birth Mawi was an Eritrean/Ethiopian, one parent of each, living in Ethiopia. His father, Haileab, was a self trained doctor in Ethiopia,
licensed as an "Advanced Dresser". In the area where they lived, Haileab was the only source of even quasi medical care; so, when it was needed,
he did his best to deliver it, and was pretty good at it. He was the proverbial "country doctor". Traveling long distances to deliver babies,
staying up all night with a patient, and all the rest of the legends. Years later, a friend of Mawi went back to visit and found the stories of
"Father Haileab" still current.
When Mawi was three, during the Ethiopian civil wars, Haileab had to flee to Sudan because he had incensed all side of the conflict by treating
those of the other sides. Months later Mawi’s mother, Tsege, had to take the four children, including an infant younger than Mawi, on foot to
rejoin Haileab in Sudan. It was a trek of hundreds of miles. They had to abandon everything that they could not carry with them. Think what was
required of Tsege in doing this! The family lived in Sudan for three years where Haileab worked in a clinic, presumably still as a quasi
doctor.
Then Haileab decided that they must emigrate to the United States. Perhaps he foresaw the degeneration of Sudan. Nevertheless, it meant
abandoning his quasi professional status, as he knew that in America he could be no more than a common laborer. They arrived in Chicago with only
what they could carry. Only Haileab could speak a little English. In 1999 Mawi delivered the commencement address at Harvard University. He was
president of the senior class.
This book is about how that happened. It could be said that in one word it was motivation. Motivation from his parents – some received by stern
dictate, but mainly from their example. He says that his true education came from the angels, those that willingly helped in need. The Ruth
Purkaples (my sister) that he encountered. He says: "Of the gifts that we can give, the greatest is to see beauty in each other – in essence to
give beauty to each other. When we give that beauty, we prepare our hearts to receive it back."
Haileab was an Arch-angel. Even in the United States, he would go to help – anyone – particularly refugees. Often it would be to interpret for them
(he knew, to some extent, six languages). When he interpreted in court, he became a quasi attorney. One of his defenses would have been a great
credit to Rumpole of the Bailey. Do read this book, and when you do, read all of it, even the acknowledgments, and the teaser for "The Code", another book by Mawi. His commencement address in in the Epilogue. It is short. It is humorous. It is inspiring.
Robert Haines
January 28, 2018
Mawi's story was very inspiring and it was good to learn about his experiences as a refugee. It was not really my favorite and at some parts didn't interest me but I enjoyed the book.
January 20, 2023
Of Beetles and Angels is an inspiring memoir by a refugee from Sudan who immigrated to America along with his family during the civil war in Africa.
This truly moved me. I was severely undereducated about the plights of refugees and the sufferings they went through at the time. The author penned down a beautiful journey of the family's immigration to Chicago and how they adapted to a life here.
The deaths hit me the hardest and although I realise it's a part of time, I was so not expecting his brother's. So many dreams and aspirations and a good soul lost and that too because of someone else's recklessness. It must have been a difficult period to go through.
I liked how the symbolic meaning of the beetles and angels in the title was explained in the book - it captured me entirely and I was so amazed by the simple yet beautiful explanation.
The pictures at the end of every chapter were an exquisite addition. They helped me connect so much more with the book and the Asgedom family.
I don't read many memoirs but this one definitely is a must read.
5 stars.
This truly moved me. I was severely undereducated about the plights of refugees and the sufferings they went through at the time. The author penned down a beautiful journey of the family's immigration to Chicago and how they adapted to a life here.
The deaths hit me the hardest and although I realise it's a part of time, I was so not expecting his brother's. So many dreams and aspirations and a good soul lost and that too because of someone else's recklessness. It must have been a difficult period to go through.
I liked how the symbolic meaning of the beetles and angels in the title was explained in the book - it captured me entirely and I was so amazed by the simple yet beautiful explanation.
The pictures at the end of every chapter were an exquisite addition. They helped me connect so much more with the book and the Asgedom family.
I don't read many memoirs but this one definitely is a must read.
5 stars.
December 10, 2022
عنوان ترجمه فارسی: سوسکها و فرشتهها
نشر دانژه
من باید برای این کتاب یه متن بنویسم، پس باید میخوندمش. چند نکته:
۱. روی جلد نوشته "سفرنامه" ولی واقعا سفرنامه نبود و بیشتر زندگینامه بود و شبیه کتابای خودیاری میشد یجاهایی!
۲. انسجام نداشت و پراکنده بود.
۳. پر کشش نبود و با اینکه کوتاه بود خسته شدم.
۴. حالا چطور هزار کلمه ازش بنویسم؟😁
نشر دانژه
من باید برای این کتاب یه متن بنویسم، پس باید میخوندمش. چند نکته:
۱. روی جلد نوشته "سفرنامه" ولی واقعا سفرنامه نبود و بیشتر زندگینامه بود و شبیه کتابای خودیاری میشد یجاهایی!
۲. انسجام نداشت و پراکنده بود.
۳. پر کشش نبود و با اینکه کوتاه بود خسته شدم.
۴. حالا چطور هزار کلمه ازش بنویسم؟😁
July 6, 2021
Interesting enough memoir, but very surface-level recounting of facts that failed to make me feel much. Asgedom's experience is mostly in America; there is not much about his experience in camps or in his home country. I did enjoy learning about the custom of serving coffee to guests and I paused for a moment at the irony of the men in his family surviving war in Sudan and Ethiopia only to be done in by reckless drunk drivers in the USA. Asgedom seems to be a very influential role model to others, and I admire that he works with youth. We need more people like this, but the book fell flat for me for the most part. 2.5 stars.
November 17, 2017
This book is about an inspirational journey of a refugee from Sudan. Through multiple hardships, Mawi Agsedom and his family make it to America. If you want a thought-provoking, amazing story, I would suggest this book. His words about courage and how hard it is really made me think about how fortunate I am.
December 26, 2013
I thought this was a very inspirational book. Some parts were not as interesting as others, but overall, it was a very good book.
Read
May 18, 2017 Yahseen Kabongo
Mrs.Riggs
Of beetles and Angels
Monday, May 8, 2017
Of the beetles and Angels
Selamawi Asgedom writes about how he had to move from ethiopia to sudan and to America to survive the war that was going on in ethiopia.Mawi and his brother Tewold always had to defend themselves towards people that give Them trouble .If that means fist to fist fighting then that's what Tewold and mawi is willing to do,But tewold and Mawi are always being told by there father,”Listen to me my children .I am your father ,right?Then listen .I know that in Sudan , you had to fight or They would keep beating you day after day .We are not in Sudan anymore.Here in America ,they take a simple thing like a bruise and kick you out of School and even throw you into the house of Imprisonment .So from now on ,let them hit you.Come home beaten and bruised.Do not ever fight back.”This and all the other choices Mawi has made in his life has shaped his life and made Mawi the man he is now, a smart and smart writer..
SECTION HEADER
The book “Of Beetles and Angels” Fits best with Genre:Non - Fiction.I know this because https://www.merriam-webster.com/dicti... explains the defenition of Non- fiction and it says,” writing that is about facts or real events “.The book was all about real events in Mawi’s life and, I also know this because in the text it states,”My homelands of Eritrea and Ethiopia fought a deadly civil war from 1961-1991.Eritrea became an independent nation in 1993.’’
Even though this book is based on real events on Mawi’s life, his father would tell Mawi and his brother Tewolde folk tale stories that were Fiction.On page 58 the text says,”My children .There was a poor widow in the countryside. She had neither livestock Nor garden and lived Each day without knowing how she would Eat the next day.She had only one thing in the world,her young son.”So I guess in a way this book could be both fiction and nonfiction in a way.
CONCLUSION
I really enjoyed reading this book because, I never really knew that people go through this.I now see the word refugee in totally different view.I learned that success takes time to accomplish and some sacrifices to make to pay it all off. I may not have gotten through Mawi’s struggle to be where I'm at right now but I truly see what “Hard Work “ really means.
I would recommend this to people twelve and up.I chose twelve because I really do wish I knew about Mawi’s story way before now so I could tell way more people about this book.I really hope you guys are hooked and amazed enough to read this amazing book .
Thank you for reading,
Yahseen Kabongo
Mrs.Riggs
Of beetles and Angels
Monday, May 8, 2017
Of the beetles and Angels
Selamawi Asgedom writes about how he had to move from ethiopia to sudan and to America to survive the war that was going on in ethiopia.Mawi and his brother Tewold always had to defend themselves towards people that give Them trouble .If that means fist to fist fighting then that's what Tewold and mawi is willing to do,But tewold and Mawi are always being told by there father,”Listen to me my children .I am your father ,right?Then listen .I know that in Sudan , you had to fight or They would keep beating you day after day .We are not in Sudan anymore.Here in America ,they take a simple thing like a bruise and kick you out of School and even throw you into the house of Imprisonment .So from now on ,let them hit you.Come home beaten and bruised.Do not ever fight back.”This and all the other choices Mawi has made in his life has shaped his life and made Mawi the man he is now, a smart and smart writer..
SECTION HEADER
The book “Of Beetles and Angels” Fits best with Genre:Non - Fiction.I know this because https://www.merriam-webster.com/dicti... explains the defenition of Non- fiction and it says,” writing that is about facts or real events “.The book was all about real events in Mawi’s life and, I also know this because in the text it states,”My homelands of Eritrea and Ethiopia fought a deadly civil war from 1961-1991.Eritrea became an independent nation in 1993.’’
Even though this book is based on real events on Mawi’s life, his father would tell Mawi and his brother Tewolde folk tale stories that were Fiction.On page 58 the text says,”My children .There was a poor widow in the countryside. She had neither livestock Nor garden and lived Each day without knowing how she would Eat the next day.She had only one thing in the world,her young son.”So I guess in a way this book could be both fiction and nonfiction in a way.
CONCLUSION
I really enjoyed reading this book because, I never really knew that people go through this.I now see the word refugee in totally different view.I learned that success takes time to accomplish and some sacrifices to make to pay it all off. I may not have gotten through Mawi’s struggle to be where I'm at right now but I truly see what “Hard Work “ really means.
I would recommend this to people twelve and up.I chose twelve because I really do wish I knew about Mawi’s story way before now so I could tell way more people about this book.I really hope you guys are hooked and amazed enough to read this amazing book .
Thank you for reading,
Yahseen Kabongo
October 11, 2017
Of Beetles and Angels stood out to me when on the shelf because of the interesting title. I had no idea what it meant, but I wanted to find out. It is an autobiography by Selamawi Asgedom mostly talking about his move to America and his experiences here. After reading A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, I have enjoyed reading about people's past travels, especially how it effected them as a kid. I also love reading about other places in the world and Of Beetles and Angels talked about Ethiopia a lot.
Of Beetles and Angels is about Selamawi Asgedom journey from Ethiopia to Chicago. It is an inspiring story about Selamawi, his brother (Tewolde), his mom, and his dad escaping from the war going on in Ethiopia. His dad was a great man and acted as a doctor for many injured people. He was separtated from his family but joined them again in a refugee camp in Sudan. Moving to Chicago, his dad would not let Selamawi and Tewolde slack off. He believed that hard work can get you anywhere, and he was right... Selamawi talks about all the struggles they went through as refugees, but him and his brother always had great motives from their dad. They move on to have great lives, but a few tragedies got in the way...
I liked how the book was very easy to read and was very clear about what was happening, so I never got lost. Everyone has the ability to read this book and won't regret it. Selamawi has a very interesting and inspiring life story that everyone should know about. In some ways, it made me more grateful for what I have and made me look at things in a different perspective. I liked the author's realistic and casual tone. Reading the book, I felt like I was getting to know Selamawi because it felt like he was just telling me about his life.
There was really nothing about this book that turned me away/ I didn't like. Some parts of the book were boring, but I kept reading and it turned out very good. Overall, I loved this book and would love to read more like it. In the future, I will look towards autobiographies and world traveling type of books. Hopefully one day I can travel the world and maybe visit refugee camps in Africa. But for now, I can only visit these places through books.
Of Beetles and Angels is about Selamawi Asgedom journey from Ethiopia to Chicago. It is an inspiring story about Selamawi, his brother (Tewolde), his mom, and his dad escaping from the war going on in Ethiopia. His dad was a great man and acted as a doctor for many injured people. He was separtated from his family but joined them again in a refugee camp in Sudan. Moving to Chicago, his dad would not let Selamawi and Tewolde slack off. He believed that hard work can get you anywhere, and he was right... Selamawi talks about all the struggles they went through as refugees, but him and his brother always had great motives from their dad. They move on to have great lives, but a few tragedies got in the way...
I liked how the book was very easy to read and was very clear about what was happening, so I never got lost. Everyone has the ability to read this book and won't regret it. Selamawi has a very interesting and inspiring life story that everyone should know about. In some ways, it made me more grateful for what I have and made me look at things in a different perspective. I liked the author's realistic and casual tone. Reading the book, I felt like I was getting to know Selamawi because it felt like he was just telling me about his life.
There was really nothing about this book that turned me away/ I didn't like. Some parts of the book were boring, but I kept reading and it turned out very good. Overall, I loved this book and would love to read more like it. In the future, I will look towards autobiographies and world traveling type of books. Hopefully one day I can travel the world and maybe visit refugee camps in Africa. But for now, I can only visit these places through books.
March 28, 2025
Written by Mawi Asgedom comes the beloved autobiography Of Beetles and Angles. Throughout this book Mawi tells us his journey from living in a refugee camp in Sudan, moving to America at the age of seven, and finally getting a full ride scholarship to Harvard. He talks about the racial differences, his school work and grades, and all the lessons his father taught him throughout his life. I enjoyed reading this book for many reasons and hope that as people read this book they grasp how courageous people can be.
Read
November 17, 2017The story of Beatles and angels really changed the way i saw the world because no everyone is as fortunate as us. This changed the way I view everyone because they may not have as much but we can always find ways to help them and get them jobs and the opportunity to go to school. Overall this was a great read and really changed my view on the world.
November 25, 2018
This was quite an inspirational story that was written for younger readers (middle school) but adult readers would enjoy it, as well. I read Mawi's story very quickly and am very impressed with how he and his family faced their challenges and heartbreaks.
February 9, 2018
Really inspiring and many very important life lessons were taught throughout this book. It was so good that I couldn't put it down!
October 12, 2023
Extremely interesting story and perspective. Not a lot of the depth of reflection I prefer in a memoir, and sometimes repetitive.
August 3, 2021
Interesting look at one refugee's experiences. Short and worthwhile.
November 17, 2017
it was a really good book because it teaches other people what its like to be a refugee and to always be kind to one another.
Read
November 17, 2017this book great i liked it because it describes the life of the Sudanese boy
December 6, 2012
This book is and amazing story about a refugee named Mawi. He lived in Ethiopia and had a good life, but when there was a war his family had to move to Sudan in a refugee camp. His father never went to a medical school, but he knew how to do most of the things a doctor knows how to do. He had his own clinic in Ethiopia, but they had to flee to Sudan to survive. His life had changed so much when he moved to Sudan. They lived in that refugee camp for a while, but then they flew over to America.They were going to leave, but his sister Mehret was not with them. They waited a whole year for Mehret and then they finally moved to America. When they got to America they knew no English and how people lived in there. World Relief found them a place to stay and found his father a job. They learned some English and Mawi started to go to school. Hid father always told the boys to treat everyone they found as angels. That paid off when he was going to college he applied to a lot of colleges. He got accepted to Stanford, Harvard, and Yale University.
I enjoyed this book very much. I loved how this was a true story. He was once the poorest in his neighborhood, but then he got a full tuition scholarship to Harvard University. His mother was so proud of him when he graduated. This book really got me hooked. When I read the first chapter I had to read the rest! Mawi and his brother are very mischievous boys. They were my favorite characters. His brother was older than him and a lot stronger, but I liked Mawi more. His father has a lot of authority in his family.
I enjoyed this book very much. I loved how this was a true story. He was once the poorest in his neighborhood, but then he got a full tuition scholarship to Harvard University. His mother was so proud of him when he graduated. This book really got me hooked. When I read the first chapter I had to read the rest! Mawi and his brother are very mischievous boys. They were my favorite characters. His brother was older than him and a lot stronger, but I liked Mawi more. His father has a lot of authority in his family.
May 28, 2013
The book Of Beetles and Angels was a pretty good book. I would rank it a 3 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed the personal connection that the author had with the book. It was an interesting story on how Mawi Asgedom the author made it from a refugee camp in Sudan to one of the best universities in the world which is Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. One quotation that I saw “ Treat all people - even the most unsightly beetles-as though they were angels sent from heaven” (Asgedom 73). This showed me that Mawi is for Civil Rights and that all people are even know matter what race you are and if you are a woman or a man. This made a connection to me because I have a strong belief in Civil Rights. Know matter what race or gender you are we all should have the same rights. I think that it is just awful that people were killed and put in jail just because they were a different race and because they were a woman. Another quotation that I saw was “ People always mistreated the angels, my father said, because the angels never looked like angels. They were always disguised as the lowliest of beetles; beggars, vagrants, and misfits” (30). This quotation showed me that not all angels look like them but that they looked like misfits or like beetles. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys biographies or Non-American stories.
May 28, 2017
This book was a quick and easy read. I enjoyed his story and greatly admire his perseverance, work ethic and even more importantly, the lessons that were instilled in him by his family and other mentors. Personally I would have liked him to get more in depth with his stories. I often felt like he was jumping around too much and only giving readers a very brief glimpse of his experiences.
One of the most powerful observations he shared: "I thought that my experience of being invisible... was largely driven by my refugee status, my low income, and my race. As I've traveled around the country, students of all races and backgrounds...their struggle is just to be visible, just to exist in an atmosphere of respect."
Another: At one of his lectures, at a correctional facility for teens, one of the teens said, "'I know you lived in a refugee camp and had to adjust to the United States. But I still think our story is tougher for one reason: you had parents and teachers who supported and encouraged you. Few of us in this jail did. I'd rather be a refugee with guidance and love than a native-born citizen of the United States without any support.'" As a parent and a teacher, that really resonated with me.
One of the most powerful observations he shared: "I thought that my experience of being invisible... was largely driven by my refugee status, my low income, and my race. As I've traveled around the country, students of all races and backgrounds...their struggle is just to be visible, just to exist in an atmosphere of respect."
Another: At one of his lectures, at a correctional facility for teens, one of the teens said, "'I know you lived in a refugee camp and had to adjust to the United States. But I still think our story is tougher for one reason: you had parents and teachers who supported and encouraged you. Few of us in this jail did. I'd rather be a refugee with guidance and love than a native-born citizen of the United States without any support.'" As a parent and a teacher, that really resonated with me.
September 27, 2016
This is a great book for the age that it is written for. I think I would put this at lower high school or middle school level. The author does a great job of not making the content too heavy and adds stories from his childhoold which make the book an appealing read to younger readers yet it still gets his point across. I really enjoyed the focus on family in this book and the help they offered to other refugees when they arrived in America. I think we could all do a little more for our fellow man.
The one thing I would have enjoyed more of would have been his time in college and if he had to overcome some of the same obstacles when I reached this level. Once he progressed past the high school area the book seemed to just skim over how he worked his way to the top at college. I think this is something younger readers need because many of them believe that once they get to college that everything will be just wonderful and it doesn't always turn out that way.
The one thing I would have enjoyed more of would have been his time in college and if he had to overcome some of the same obstacles when I reached this level. Once he progressed past the high school area the book seemed to just skim over how he worked his way to the top at college. I think this is something younger readers need because many of them believe that once they get to college that everything will be just wonderful and it doesn't always turn out that way.
January 14, 2014
I think everyone should have their teenager read this before they go to high school, or maybe even middle school. I love his message about what you can accomplish in life if you decide to work hard in school and get good grades. And even more, I love what this teaches about what can happen when you choose to treat everyone around you as an angel, rather than a "beetle." I loved the part about getting voted in to student government, simply because he had been nice to everyone and had chosen not to view his classmates through the "caste system" of high school.
"Of the gifts that we can give, the greatest is to see beauty in each other -- in essence, to give beauty to each other. When we give that beauty, we prepare our hearts to receive it back."
"Of the gifts that we can give, the greatest is to see beauty in each other -- in essence, to give beauty to each other. When we give that beauty, we prepare our hearts to receive it back."
May 17, 2020
I expected more meat to this story- it all seemed cursory. Each event was mentioned as a chronological sequence of what happened without diving in to significant events and their meaning to him. Particularly, if the subtitle is about his arc from refugee to Harvard, there is little about his college days. For instance, sharing his true thoughts and feelings on his education and what got him there and decision to go into public speaking.
Everything was very brief but there was enough to get an overall understanding of a refugee experience but not necessarily a full picture of his time in Somalia. And package itself could have been refined (fleshed out in places, others cut for a deeper dive) but overall a worthy read for middle readers.
Everything was very brief but there was enough to get an overall understanding of a refugee experience but not necessarily a full picture of his time in Somalia. And package itself could have been refined (fleshed out in places, others cut for a deeper dive) but overall a worthy read for middle readers.
May 27, 2015
Mawi is a regugee from Eritrea living in Sudan, he came to Sudan because of the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Mawi and his family wanted to go to America so they travel to the capital of Sudan (Khartoum) and apply to go to America, but there was a problem. They were allowed to go but, his sister wasn't allowed to leave untill three months past, so they waited in Khartoum for 3 months and then they left to the US. In the US Mawi experienced many obsticles from bullies to police gaurds to old ladies chasing after him.
January 30, 2018
I gave this book a 5 star review. This book is about challenges and a book's remarkable journey from a Refugee camp to Harvard. This book is about a boy named Mawi who was sent into a Refugee camp with his family just when he was a little boy. Every night and day Mawi struggles with the hard work and chores he had to live with. He overcame those challenges and got accepted to Harvard College and became a Harvard Graduate.
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