Of Beetles and Angels by Mawi Asgedom

 


An autobiography of a boy who, at the age of three, fled civil war in Ethiopia by walking with his mother, brother and father to a Sudanese refugee camp where they stayed for 3 years, and later they moved to Wheaton, IL (about an hour from Waukegan). This true story gives insight into the lives of so many immigrants and their struggle to start over, fit in, and the difficulties of school life. He endured many tragedies throughout his life. However, this young man does not give up and he graduates college and gives the commencement speech at Harvard University to 30,000 people! This is a story of overcoming poverty, language barriers, cultural differences and personal tragedy. I dare you to read this book and not shed a tear and also smile when he shares some of his family stories and you indulge in his triumphs!

-LB

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