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

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Summary: Miracles in many forms
Review: This book told me one thing: everyone can be an angel. No matter in what form, that thing could be an angel.
From this story, a boy named Mawi was a refugee. His homeland had been involved in a war. His father decided the family would flee to Amerikha, as they called it. It was a place of peace, which was something that didnt exist in Eritrea, their homeland.
Many perils were made in America. Mawi needed to go to school, with his brothers and sister. He survived through prejudice and violence at school. His dream was to be welcomed with a scholarship into a special university. He worked very hard to achieve his goal.
How did it happen? Just read the book and find out!

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Summary: Of Beetles & Angels
Review: I have never written a review on Amazon, but feel compelled to share my thoughts. This is an inspiring book that speaks to anyone who, in their youth, failed to appreciate the wisdom, sacrifice, and well-meaning of their parents (despite their flaws). It speaks equally to anyone that that doubts or wants to be reminded of: the power of the human spirit and goal setting; the importance of searching for the goodness in every living thing; or the positive impact mentors - and even strangers - can have on one's life.

Mawi - thanks for having the courage to share this road map to your sole. Peace be with you... -WLK

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Summary: So good
Review: If there was ever a book that make you want to thank God that you were born in America despite the glitches, it will sure make you want to after reading "Of Beetles and Angels". Recommended by my book club and store owner a couple of years ago, I wasn't able to get a copy until recently when it was republished by Little Brown. Mawi and his family through God's grace was able to come to America despite some hurdles in 1983. It is bad that you had to leave the country of your birth due to starvation, infighting, and possible death. It is another thing altogether to have to face it in America again. Mawi and his brother survived America, learned English and graduated from it. His brother, although promising as a budding entreprenuer, was killed by a drunk driver, during the Christmas break of his senior year. The same fate happens to his father later on. Both men were instrumental in helping Mawi achieve, graduate with honors and apply to several universities, one of them Havard, who offered him a scholarship, and from which he graduated from in 1999. If you ever have a bad day and feel that you cannot make it in this world, "Of Beetles and Angels"will guide you back to where you need to be. Highly recommended by me for all ages.

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Summary: Triumphant
Review: Mawi Asgedom spoke at the school where I work in Southern California. He was passionate, funny, sincere, and able to capture the attention of the students in a manner as I have never seen. His book shares the same qualities. What most impresses me about this young man and his writing is a complete lack of pretention. Although he has every reason to flaunt himself and to preach with an air of sophistication, his words are not meant to impress. He relies only on honesty and an unrelenting faith and spirit. Young and old readers alike will find a renewed sense of purpose in this work.

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Summary: Of Beetles & Angels
Review: Of Beetles & Angels

I think the book, Of Beetles & Angels is a good book for reading, and so I recommend it for teachers that teach reading, and read it to students, because students from other regions can learn that people that are not from America can go far in their studies and have a successful life.

This book is about a family that lived well in Ethiopia, but then the father had some problems, and they moved to America. America wasn't like Ethiopia; they had a little trouble when they got here, but with time life treats them better. Selamawi the main character get support from his parents to learn. Selamawi learns English and studies very hard and because of that he goes to study at Harvard.

I'm Hispanic I'm from Baja California, Mexico I go to Roosevelt High School and I read this book in my English class.

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Summary: Ethipoian Boy
Review: Of Beetles And Angels is about an Ethiopian boy that used to live in a refugee camp. He changed his life when he came to America. He became a really bad boy, with his brother. But his brother died in a car accident, so Mawi changed his life. He started to work and study with really good grades at Harvard.
His parents deserve thanks for him becoming a good man. This is a story about a boy from refugee who becomes a really well educated boy. But he had to pass through a lot of problems to have the things he has now.

I recommend this book to students who are from different country, so they can't forget their own culture.

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Summary: Of Beetles & Angels
Review: Of Beetles&Angels is a contemporary autobiography of a young man's journey to success. Young adult readers might not be able to relate to the cultural changes Mawi endured but will be able to sympathize with his emotional plight of poverty, racial poverty, and sense of not belonging. Told from his own point of view, Mawi Asgedom graphically describes his people's escape to Sudan's refugee camp and the move to America. Maw's father's optimism in the human race is uplifting. The inspirational theme of seeing angels in the lowest form repeats throughout the book and attempts to teach the reader a moral lesson. He describes the characters he encounters throughout his life so that the reader can identify with most of them, ex. the class bully, the helpful neighbor, or the church community.
Maws inspirational story is motivating and courageous and a must read for teenagers.

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Summary: From a Refugee to a Harvard grad
Review: Selamawi "Mawi" Asgedom tells of his journey from an Ethipoian/Eritrean refugee to a harvard graduate in his poignant memoir, Of Beetles and Angels. Driven by his family's tireless encouragement, this miracle man faced the challenges of leaving a culture, a homeland, and a way of life behind. Finding angels in the most unlikely places, Mawi reteaches the reader the golden rule through his and his family's acceptance of others, and genuine willingness to help those in need.

I was moved by the recounting of the Asgedoms' trials and triumphs.
This is truly an example of what family should mean; encouraging one another, pushing each other to do their best, and most strikingly, the cohesion that American families sometimes lack. Reading more like a collection of short stories than a work of non-fiction, Of Beetles and Angels captures the reader's attention, emotions, and heart throughout.

Reviewed by CandaceK

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Summary: Inspiring and motivating
Review: The book by Mawi Asgedom is a story of the author's journey from war torn Ethiopia to Harvard University. It is also a story about Mawi's father, Haileab. Haileab was determined to give his children a better life. He could not hand that life to his children and so he motivated and inspired them. He gave up everything-his job, his dignity, his respect, his country, his friends, and more so that his children might have a better life. The impact of this father is visually represented in the book in that all of his words are in capital letters.

My entire family has read this book. We spent several hours discussing it together. Mawi is a great storyteller. He made us laugh and he made us think. I have given at least 15 of Mawi's books to friends and relatives to read. One friend and her husband were so moved by the book that they went and visited the organization, World Relief, in Wheaton, IL to find out what they could do to help refugees. They gave their Christmas bonus to helping several families. Everyone should read this book, adults and children in fourth grade and older, refugees and especially everyone that has contact with people of another culture. I give this excellent, insightful book the highest recommendation.

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Summary: Saw Mawi Live
Review: this is a beautiful book. mawi's courage,integrity and perserverance inspired me. i encourage everyone to read this book and be moved by this story.