About This Book
Reach for this memoir when your child is feeling like an outsider, struggling with a major life transition, or needs to understand the profound impact of seeing the humanity in others. It follows Mawi Asgedom's incredible journey from an Ethiopian refugee camp to the halls of Harvard University. This is a story about the hidden potential in every person and the life-changing power of kindness. While the book touches on the hardships of war and poverty, the primary focus is on resilience and the wisdom of Mawi's father, who taught his children to treat everyone, even the most overlooked people, as 'beetles' who are actually 'angels.' It is an accessible, deeply moving read for middle schoolers and young teens that provides a window into the refugee experience while offering universal lessons on character and hard work. Parents will appreciate how it encourages empathy and a global perspective without being overly heavy-handed.
