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The Code: The Five Secrets of Teen Success
Overcoming a childhood beset by civil war in East Africa and living on welfare in Chicago, the author grew up to attend Harvard on scholarship. Asgedom shares his experiences, insights, and five proven secrets that will help teens succeed in high school and beyond.
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2003
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184 people want to read
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May 27, 2015The book that I read is called The Code "The 5 secrets of teen success. The book is about a Ethiopian refugee boy who talks about him becoming successful with just a press of a button. The boy name is Mawi Asgedom. Mawi spreads throughout the story explaining to the reader about the 5 secrets of being a successful teen. The first secret is "Win The Inner Battle." What this is saying is that before you try to take on the world first you will have to have control over your mind in order to succeed in life. The second secret is "Win Every Day." This secret is telling you how to be a true leader and not a follower. A true leader is someone who follows and do the right thing no matter who watching them but a follower is someone who would do something someone else would do without thinking twice about their decision. Secret 3 is "Give First, Receive Second." Now this secret is very important because some of our young adults are forgetting this. The meaning to this secret is that before thinking about yourself first you should think about others first and try to help them out. The 4th secret is "Never Lose Hope." This secret is basically saying that you should never lose hope no matter what. If it's something dealing with school or home or even at the work place. Never lose your hope for you can always try again. The final secret is "Take Smart Risks." What that mean is that one day in your there will be a opportunity for you to take. It can either be something that will start off your life or make your life miserable but that's your choice to make. You'll never know where your life will go if you don't take risks smart risks.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I feel is though that if I follow this book I can become anything I want to be when I'm older. I encourage people to read this book even though your not a teen. You should know about the secrets to having a successful life.
I appreciate that Mawi shared his experience and thoughts in this book. I understand that with a little hard work to can become anything you want in life. Mawi went from a Ethiopian refugee to a graduate from Harvard. I will try my best for now on to go by the 5 secrets because if Mawi can do so can I.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I feel is though that if I follow this book I can become anything I want to be when I'm older. I encourage people to read this book even though your not a teen. You should know about the secrets to having a successful life.
I appreciate that Mawi shared his experience and thoughts in this book. I understand that with a little hard work to can become anything you want in life. Mawi went from a Ethiopian refugee to a graduate from Harvard. I will try my best for now on to go by the 5 secrets because if Mawi can do so can I.
May 30, 2009
I like "Of Beetles and Angels" so much that I was curious about this book by the same author. He is now a motivational speaker for teens, and this is his system to help teens transform their lives. I liked the book a lot and think it would be a great tool for any young person, or even an old person, who's looking to become someone more than they are. Mawi's code is illustrated by events from his life, and he poses all the sections as questions, asking the reader who they want to be, how they want to respond in various situations.
I think this book is particularly useful for kids who haven't had much parenting, and don't really understand how to live, or know how they want to live and who they want to be. It poses questions in a way that gives room for the reader to really think about things. I found it useful to do the exercises myself, and see what answers came up. I think Mawi has a real treasure to share with people, and this book is a good vehicle for his message. I'd love to see him speak. He has some beautiful gifts to give the world.
I think this book is particularly useful for kids who haven't had much parenting, and don't really understand how to live, or know how they want to live and who they want to be. It poses questions in a way that gives room for the reader to really think about things. I found it useful to do the exercises myself, and see what answers came up. I think Mawi has a real treasure to share with people, and this book is a good vehicle for his message. I'd love to see him speak. He has some beautiful gifts to give the world.
May 23, 2013
It was helpful. I read it because it was an assignment, but it was good nonetheless. I recommend it if you are going through tough times. Asgedom really touched on a lot of soft spots, that I think A LOT of other teenagers have. It's not just for teenagers, though; ADULTS ARE MORE THAN WELCOME. He lives in Chicago... I'm there right now actually, but you know. In conclusion, it was a wonderful book.
September 9, 2011
This books talks about what success is and what u need to be successful in life and your future. How you can change and how u can get a better education in your life, its talks all about what you need and what you want.
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May 31, 2019“The Code” by Mawi Asgedom is a very short book that goes straight to the point because as Mawi said, “By the time you get to page 200, you've forgotten what you learned on page 30. To avoid that, I've kept my book short and to the point.” The book is about an Ethiopian Refugee that made his own path into being successful. Throughout the whole book, Mawi tells stories that happened all through his life. All of his stories contain life learning lessons which built him into who he is today, a successful person. In the book, he gives the five main secrets of teen success, which are: Win the inner battle; Win every day; Give first, receive second; Never lose hope; Take smart risks. In the first secret of “Win the inner battle”, Mawi says that in order to succeed and take control on the world, you have to take control of your own mind. The second secret "Win Every Day" is about how to be a true leader. Being a true leader is about taking a few minutes to lead yourself into your inner and outer goals and reflecting on your life to see if you are headed into the right direction. Secret 3, "Give First, Receive Second" is very important. The meaning of this secret is to always give without expecting anything in reward. You should think first about others and about helping, rather than thinking just in yourself. The 4th secret is "Never Lose Hope." This secret says that you should never lose hope no matter what. If something doesn't go as planned, just keep trying and never lose hope. The final secret is "Take Smart Risks", which means that you sometimes have to take risks because if you don't, you can end up not doing something because of the fear of the outcome the risk will bring. You can never know what can happen, so occasionally take smart risks.
Mawis early life in Ethiopia was very hard. He had to run from place to place because Ethiopia was in the middle of a thirty-year civil war with Eritrea. His life wouldn't have been the same if his family didn't run away to Illinois. I think that his plan or secrets of being successful can not be applied to everyone in every country. Living in the middle of a war can be a complete chaos and even though you really try to follow the steps Mawi presented, It would be really hard to achieve success. On the other hand, in peaceful places like Chicago, it is more likely that someone that follows this steps, becomes successful.
Now that I have read this book, I will apply everything that i've learned in my daily life. Like Mawi said, I will create my own code of beliefs. I will start by changing my inner character so that It can be easier for me to accomplish my goals. Starting from now on, I will try to procrastinate less and be less lazy. This will help me accomplish my goal of having good grades and later on, be accepted on a good university outside from Mexico. Another thing that I will start applying into my life is that I will start using the “turbo-button”. Instead of asking “why”, I will start asking myself “how”. How can I improve my grades at school? How can I earn money? Applying this to my life will make myself take action into things and make things really happen, instead of me waiting for them to “magically” happen. I will also be my own leader. I won't allow anyone to decide my path. I will surround myself with spirit builders and remove from my life the spirit crushers. I will be a true leader by reflecting on my life and making sure im always headed into the right direction before doing anything else.
Most of the book contains metaphors. He tells stories that happened in his past that have metaphorical meanings. An example of this is when he tells the story when Mawis father asked him at the age of six to water the corn plants. He started watering the plant but only the things that he could see, like the corn ears. When his father saw him, he told Mawi that the most important thing that he had to water was what he couldn't see, the root. His father told him, “You can water the outer stalk all day long, but if you haven't watered the root, the entire stalk will die.” This meant that most of the time people tend to pursue other goals like going to the best college ever. But the truth is that you'll be really happy only if you star with what's inside you.
I would really recommend this book to every teenager and even young adult. I think that this book has a lot of things to teach to every reader. It contains a lot of life lessons that would help everyone in their lives. The book gives the reader the tools to be successful and have a different point of view in life. The book connects to real life in a way that no matter where you come from, or how your life situation is, everyone can be successful if they follow the correct steps.
img src="https://media.tenor.com/images/f6c96e..." width="40" height="100" alt="description"/>
Mawis early life in Ethiopia was very hard. He had to run from place to place because Ethiopia was in the middle of a thirty-year civil war with Eritrea. His life wouldn't have been the same if his family didn't run away to Illinois. I think that his plan or secrets of being successful can not be applied to everyone in every country. Living in the middle of a war can be a complete chaos and even though you really try to follow the steps Mawi presented, It would be really hard to achieve success. On the other hand, in peaceful places like Chicago, it is more likely that someone that follows this steps, becomes successful.
Now that I have read this book, I will apply everything that i've learned in my daily life. Like Mawi said, I will create my own code of beliefs. I will start by changing my inner character so that It can be easier for me to accomplish my goals. Starting from now on, I will try to procrastinate less and be less lazy. This will help me accomplish my goal of having good grades and later on, be accepted on a good university outside from Mexico. Another thing that I will start applying into my life is that I will start using the “turbo-button”. Instead of asking “why”, I will start asking myself “how”. How can I improve my grades at school? How can I earn money? Applying this to my life will make myself take action into things and make things really happen, instead of me waiting for them to “magically” happen. I will also be my own leader. I won't allow anyone to decide my path. I will surround myself with spirit builders and remove from my life the spirit crushers. I will be a true leader by reflecting on my life and making sure im always headed into the right direction before doing anything else.
Most of the book contains metaphors. He tells stories that happened in his past that have metaphorical meanings. An example of this is when he tells the story when Mawis father asked him at the age of six to water the corn plants. He started watering the plant but only the things that he could see, like the corn ears. When his father saw him, he told Mawi that the most important thing that he had to water was what he couldn't see, the root. His father told him, “You can water the outer stalk all day long, but if you haven't watered the root, the entire stalk will die.” This meant that most of the time people tend to pursue other goals like going to the best college ever. But the truth is that you'll be really happy only if you star with what's inside you.
I would really recommend this book to every teenager and even young adult. I think that this book has a lot of things to teach to every reader. It contains a lot of life lessons that would help everyone in their lives. The book gives the reader the tools to be successful and have a different point of view in life. The book connects to real life in a way that no matter where you come from, or how your life situation is, everyone can be successful if they follow the correct steps.
img src="https://media.tenor.com/images/f6c96e..." width="40" height="100" alt="description"/>
June 19, 2018
This book is very short and to the point, it will help you align your personal values and realize you can do anything you want in life if you take as much action necessary and have faith in your goal. It goes over topics I wish I knew when I was a teenager and I recommend reading it.
I remember taking a class back in High School called Peer Counseling on FLVS that pretty much changed my life. I've always looked for one of Mawi's books that I could reflect on with those same teachings and I found it!
I remember taking a class back in High School called Peer Counseling on FLVS that pretty much changed my life. I've always looked for one of Mawi's books that I could reflect on with those same teachings and I found it!
July 25, 2018
The writing was okay but the treasure lay in the activities.
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December 15, 2019one copy
May 18, 2015
“The Code”
By: Mawi Asgedom
Do you ever feel like you are depressed and have no help? Well so did the author. Mawi Asgendom in the book “The Code.” In this book the author tells many life goals that helped Mawi with his depression in is life. So if you are looking for any help of you know anyone that needs help then this is the book to read.
In this book, Mawi divides the chapeters into five different sections. In all these chapters it gives you helpful tips such as “Choose Your Own Direction.”, “Be A True Leader.” , “See it Their Way.” , “Never Lose Hope.” , “Respect the Moment.” And many other subjects that are helpful to anyone having a hard time.
In this book I liked that Mawi used real examples from his life. I also liked how Mawi Highlighted and bolded words of phrases that might be difficult for some people to understand. After he highlighted the words then would put the definitions at the bottom of the page. An example of the bolding and highlighting would be that Mawi bolded the word “contribute” he thought that this word would be hard to understand, so he put the definition at the bottom of the page as “give help.”
One way that Mawi told about his depression was how he explained to everyone about his hard times in his life but the touchiest subject for Mawi was when his brother was killed by a drunk driver. Even though it was hard for Mawi to tell his story, he knew that it probably stand out to many people in the same situation. He talked about how he felt “trapped” in his life. But he would tell himself “I’ve got to make something of my life.”
And the most important part of the book would be “The Code” Which is the title of the book. Maxi talked about “The Code of Beliefs.” He says that these codes are inner and outer beliefs such as attitude, self-confident, personal qualities, and personal rules that are inner beliefs. And Mawi said that Friends, family, fun, work, activities, and grades are all outer beliefs.
So if you or someone you know needs help but are too scared to ask a friend or councilor, then tell them to read “The Code.” I do believe that this book will help anyone get out of any form of depression just through the powerful use of words from the brave Mawi Asgendom.
By: Mawi Asgedom
Do you ever feel like you are depressed and have no help? Well so did the author. Mawi Asgendom in the book “The Code.” In this book the author tells many life goals that helped Mawi with his depression in is life. So if you are looking for any help of you know anyone that needs help then this is the book to read.
In this book, Mawi divides the chapeters into five different sections. In all these chapters it gives you helpful tips such as “Choose Your Own Direction.”, “Be A True Leader.” , “See it Their Way.” , “Never Lose Hope.” , “Respect the Moment.” And many other subjects that are helpful to anyone having a hard time.
In this book I liked that Mawi used real examples from his life. I also liked how Mawi Highlighted and bolded words of phrases that might be difficult for some people to understand. After he highlighted the words then would put the definitions at the bottom of the page. An example of the bolding and highlighting would be that Mawi bolded the word “contribute” he thought that this word would be hard to understand, so he put the definition at the bottom of the page as “give help.”
One way that Mawi told about his depression was how he explained to everyone about his hard times in his life but the touchiest subject for Mawi was when his brother was killed by a drunk driver. Even though it was hard for Mawi to tell his story, he knew that it probably stand out to many people in the same situation. He talked about how he felt “trapped” in his life. But he would tell himself “I’ve got to make something of my life.”
And the most important part of the book would be “The Code” Which is the title of the book. Maxi talked about “The Code of Beliefs.” He says that these codes are inner and outer beliefs such as attitude, self-confident, personal qualities, and personal rules that are inner beliefs. And Mawi said that Friends, family, fun, work, activities, and grades are all outer beliefs.
So if you or someone you know needs help but are too scared to ask a friend or councilor, then tell them to read “The Code.” I do believe that this book will help anyone get out of any form of depression just through the powerful use of words from the brave Mawi Asgendom.
July 16, 2025
I read this such a long time ago but feel compelled to write a review because I'm shocked at the 3.5 average rating. I feel like a lot of adults are reading and rating this but they are NOT the target audience for this book! I read this as a tween (12 or 13 ish) and it was SO life-changing for me. The principles in it are timeless and I think it's a must-read for any young person going into their teenage years so they stay grounded with what really matters. I'm so thankful to Mawi for writing this and please know that your words have stayed with me my whole life. He also did an excellent job at using the stories from his own life to capture a teenager's short attention span and reel them in. Don't discount this book, I found it to be not only a more entertaining read but also contain more valuable principles than that whole "7 habits of highly effective teens" that everyone raves about for some reason 🤦🏻♀️ That book literally could've been a single blogpost or tiktok video and that would've reached more teenagers, too!
May 10, 2015
Mawi has concisely produced a book that will interest and inspire teens. I work with disadvantaged teens and I am making this book required reading. The book is easy to understand and Mawi's personal stories and wonderful illustrations make it fun.
It is very difficult to get teens excited about learning but Mawi has done it.
It is very difficult to get teens excited about learning but Mawi has done it.
July 11, 2008
This book really helps you when you have know place to turn or need help in life. The author Mawi Asgedom is a modavational speaker and in the book he uses some of his life examples to explain and prove pionts it is a pretty good book.
September 1, 2008
Inspiratif. Luar bisa, buku yang menggerakkan. Tiap selesai membaca satu babnya, tubuh seolah tidak dapat melawan semangat untuk berubah. And life become so wonderful!
October 22, 2008
I read a few pages so far I like it (I Guess)
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September 9, 20132 copies
March 21, 2015
Great book for AVID.
October 13, 2009
This book is excellent, excellent and did I mention excellent?
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews