Of Beetles and Angels: A Boy's Remarkable Journey from a Refugee Camp to Harvard - Couverture souple

Read the remarkable true story of a young boy's journey from civil war in east Africa to a refugee camp in Sudan, to a childhood on welfare in an affluent American suburb, and eventually to a full-tuition scholarship at Harvard University.

Following his father's advice to "treat all people-even the most unsightly beetles-as though they were angels sent from heaven," Mawi overcomes the challenges of language barriers, cultural differences, racial prejudice, and financial disadvantage to build a fulfilling, successful life for himself in his new home.

Of Beetles and Angels is at once a harrowing survival story and a compelling examination of the refugee experience. With hundreds of thousands of copies sold since its initial publication, and as a frequent selection as one book/one school/one community reads, this unforgettable memoir continues to touch and inspire readers. This special expanded fifteenth anniversary edition includes a new introduction and afterword from the author, a discussion guide, and more.

Mawi Asgedom is an author, sought-after speaker, and educator. He has inspired over one million students through his books, speeches, and award-winning online leadership courses. Oprah Winfrey called her interview with Mawi one of her top twenty moments, and Essence recognized Mawi as one of the "40 of the Most Inspiring African-Americans."

As a child, Mawi fled civil war in Ethiopia and survived a Sudanese refugee camp for three years. After being resettled in the United States, Mawi overcame poverty, language barriers, and personal tragedy to graduate cum laude from Harvard University, where he gave the commencement address to an audience of thirty thousand.

Mawi lives in Illinois with his family. He invites you to learn more about his work in education at MawiLearning.com.