Asgedom, Mawi. of beetles & angels; a boy's remarkable journey from a refugee camp to Harvard.

Little, Brown. 142p. bibliog. c2001. 0-316-82620-0. $9.95. JSA*

There is a reason that this young man has been featured on Oprah and has his own Web site (www.mawispeaks.com). Mawi Asgedom's life story to date is the embodiment of the American dream. Born in Ethiopia, three years spent in a Sudanese refugee camp, and his family's lonely arrival in the Chicago area form the backdrop for Mawi's childhood in the American school system. This memoir is crafted in a simplistic style with "motivational speak" as the primary narrative. The reader will appreciate personal glimpses of family devotion and the rewards of listening to a powerful father figure who threatens in his positive rigidity. Brothers and sisters rely upon one another for support on our mean streets and the results are impressive. Readers will identify with bullying episodes and Halloween mischief as well as athletic and academic success. Personal tragedy figures sadly into this family's life, too.

Photographs complete the powerful images and recipes authenticate cultural flavors, though a language glossary would have been useful to further understand the culture. Mawi includes his 1999 commencement address from his Harvard graduation. Highly recommended for memoir and biography collections and for reluctant readers. Nancy Zachary, YA Libn., Scarsdale PL., Scarsdale, NY