Maw Books

Maw Books – book reviews, book recommendations, book lists, author interviews and more!

Of Beetles & Angels, A Boy’s Remarkable Journey From a Refugee Camp to Harvard by Mawi Asgedom is the story of just how far hard work and dedication can take you in life.  This is a non-fiction read geared for ages 9-12.

At the age of four, Asgedom’s family was forced from their war ravaged home in  Ethiopia and spent three years in a Sudanese refugee camp.  At the age of seven, his family was able to immigrate to Chicago.  Asgedom’s story is of the trials and blessings of that move and its effects on his parents, brother, and sister.

It wasn’t always easy, for months they didn’t dare leave their hotel room for fear of the people but were not without newfound friends.  Asgedom’s father who was a very well respected man in Ethiopia had the hardest time adjusting and eventually went downhill.  Asgedom and his brother got into trouble at school a lot but were in general good kids.  His family was very, very poor and Asgedom knew that the only way to better himself was through his education.

His story is truly a story of somebody who knows how to study.  Through high school he worked hard to receive perfect grades.  Upon graduation, it never occurred to him to apply to Ivy League schools instead of the local community colleges until somebody suggested he try.  Not only did he get accepted into every college he applied to but was offered very prestigious scholarships to many including Harvard.  Four years later, Mawi Asgedom gave the valedictorian speech when he graduated from Harvard.  He set the example that if he could do it, a poor refugee boy from Ethiopia, than anybody could do it.

The writing is a bit fragmented and seemed to jump around a bit but I think it would hold a young readers attention.  There are some great discussion questions in the back, and even Ethiopian recipes.  This book gives a great insight into the struggles of new immigrants adjusting to a new culture and mourning for loss of home.  Asgedom’s story is inspiring and to tell you the truth, reading about him studying so much tired me out.  In his case, it certainly paid off.

Mawi Asgedom now tours the country as a motivational speaker visiting school kids and has even appeared on Oprah.  You can visit his website here.

Would you like to win a copy of  Of Beetles and Angels by Mawi Asgedom?  Hatchette Book Group has graciously donated two copies to be given away in conjunction with my Darfur awareness campaign.  Click here for details on how to get involved and entered to win. Check back (you are subscribed to this blog, aren’t you?!) at the end of the month to put your name in the hat for this one.  Prizes will build up throughout the month.

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