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One Book One Philadelphia

Of Beetles and Angels; A Boy's Remarkable Journey From a Refugee Camp to Harvard

By Mawi Asgedom

Literature Circle Project:Responding to Books

Here’s your chance to create a masterpiece and use many skills you refined during literature circles-reading critically, analyzing characters and discovering themes.

Upon completion of literature circle discussions, each group will reflect on the major characters, themes, elements and significant passages from the memoir and incorporate them into a final project. The project will be presented to the class and as part of the process you will give a “thumbs-up” or “thumbs-down” indicating whether or not you would recommend this memoir to other middle school or high school readers.

All students will complete number four.  For the other six efforts, each person in your literature circle discussion group should chose one of the responsibilites for the project listed below.

For your masterpiece be sure to:

1. Include the title and author of the memoir. Include a paragraph explaining the significance of the title. (15 points)

2. Include who’s important and why,  (minimum of three characters). One paragraph per character, each paragraph five to seven sentences.  (15 points)

3. Include three or more significant quotes from the memoir with a paragraph explaining its significance in relationship to the story. (Cite page numbers.) (15 points)

4. Each person in the group should chose a question on page 4 of the resource guide and answer it in a thoughtful and well supported piece of writing. Length will vary. (15 points)

5. Include a statement- one page in length- that illustrates your group’s understanding of one or more of the novel’s themes. (20 points)

6. Use at least one visual image to represent a character, scene, symbol or other element from the memoir. (10 points)

7. Do you give this novel thumbs-up or thumbs-down? Give three reasons for your choice. This should be a one-page effort, citing specific examples to support your opinion. (10 points)

Literature Circle

Discussion Questions

Of Beetles and Angels; A Boy’s Remarkable Journey From a Refugee Camp to Harvard

By Mawi Asgedom

Reading is divided into three sections, due dates will be assigned in class.

As you read, highlight significant quotes and jot marginal notes regarding your impressions and reactions to what you read. You should also highlight or make notations of important events and characters.

Each student should keep a character list, adding to it as you continue to read. As you list characters be sure to include a brief description and page numbers of important quotes or incidents involving this character.

Section I Pages 1-44

Author’s Note

  1. What is the significance of the author’s name? Consider what we read in the Michael Smerconish article about assimilation. How would Mawi Asgedom address Smerconish’s concerns?

Memories

      What does it mean to be a refugee?

  1. What power do memories hold for someone?
  2. Describe the desperation of those living in a war torn country.

The Camp

  1. What was the educational experience like n the refugee camp schools?
  2. What was the role of the teachers in these schools?
  3. Find the sections of the chapter where American is first described. Is it an accurate description? Why or why not?
  4. What fears do the refugees face in the camps?
  5. What words of advice does the family consider as they think about making the trip to America?
  6. An important question for the family to consider; “Would you go to paradise if it meant knowing no one? Would you give up everything you had ever known? What would you do in Mawi’s position?

Coming to America

  1. Who helped arrange the trip for Mawi and his family?
  2. What caused a delay in their plans to leave for America?
  3. Consider the advice on page 17; is it helpful for their journey and their future in America? Why or why not?
  4. What route does their trip take? Where is their final destination?

A New Life

  1. Who is Beth? How did Beth help the family?
  2. What is a sponsor?
  3. What has happened to Haileab?
  4. Who are the two angels that appear at their door?
  5. What lessons does Mawi learn from television?
  6. Who is the newest member of the family? What is his name? Why is it significant?

God’s Angels

  1. Explain the story Mawi’s father shares about strangers.

Playground Warfare

  1. What familiar theme that we have studied comes into play at the beginning of this chapter?
  2. Cite specific examples of prejudice that the children faced at school.
  3. The boys face tremendous bullying, what is their father’s advice about this?
  4. What is the significance of the Chinese brothers stories?

Section II Pages 46-92

Days of Mischief

 

  1. What American holiday is similar to Sudanese New Year celebration?
  2. In the incident with the old woman and the tray of candy, why did the boys feel guilty and fearful?
  3. How is Triangle Park like our salad bowl analogy?
  4. How did the story of the widow and son impress you?
  5. What does the expression “I will make you lost.” Mean?

Libee Migbar

 

  1. What is libee migbar? How does Tewolde demonstrate this? Is there a term in Judaism that is similar?
  2. What happened to Tewolde?
  3. What is the significance of the quarters Tewolde collects?
  4. What does brother mean for Mawi?
  5. Who in your life inspires you?

Coffee Tales

  1. Coffee unleashes memories. What refugee stories come to light when the coffee is made?
  2. What story that you read in this chapter left you with the strongest impression?

The Making of a Man

  1. How was Haileab raised? How does that affect his own parenting style?
  2. Cite three to five examples of Haileab’s intelligence and determination.
  3. What dilemma did Haileab face during the war? What would you do in his situation?

Section III pages 95-138

The Unmaking of a Man

  1. What is the significance of the quote at the opening of the chapter?
  2. How do careers change for Haileab in America?
  3. Haileab loses his eyesight, what else is “lost” in America?
  4. Who is Mr. Quul-fee?
  5. What does Haileab value
  6. Explain the significance of the following quote found on page 104.

“It was the shock of a proud man who had metamorphosed into a beetle.”

       Mawi claims he witnessed the “unmanning” of his father. What does this term mean?

  1. Who is Behre? What does he share with Mawi? How does it change Mawi’s view

       of his father?

Eyeing the Mountaintop

  1. Why is education so important to Mawi’s family?
  2. Several incidents involve the “power of words”. Cite two examples where words had an important impact on Mawi.
  3. What sort of impact to his brother’s death have on Mawi?
  4. Why does Mawi believe he was elected class president?
  5. How do a few words of encouragement help Mawi get into Harvard?

Father Haileab

  1. How does the “power of words” make Haileab an important asset in the court cases in this chapter?
  2. What do you learn about Haileab through the stories Mawi shares?

Izhigare Yihabkoom

  1. What is the irony in the deaths of Mawi’s brother and father?
  2. Has Mawi fulfilled his father’s dream?

Epilogue

  1. Carefully read Mawi’s commencement address, what has he learned from his mother’s advice?