Willowbrook hosts Author in the House event

On Jan. 25, the Willowbrook Library Media Center hosted an Author in the House event and welcomed Farah Ahmedi, author of “The Other Side of the Sky.” Ahmedi visited the school with Alyce Litz, her friend and mentor.

“The Other Side of the Sky” is a memoir that shares Ahmedi’s journey from war to peace. It tells Ahmedi’s story of how she faced and overcame challenges and struggles as a refugee in Afghanistan and made her way to the Chicago suburbs and become a first-generation college graduate and mother of two.

According to her website, www.farahahmedi.com, “As a young girl in Afghanistan, (Ahmedi) always knew the power of education. She looked at the sky far above the walls of her family compound with awe and wonder at the multitude of stars. She looked up to her teacher and set the sky as her limit. One day on her way to school, she stepped on a landmine, and her life changed forever. (Ahmedi’s) story of loss, escape from her war-torn homeland and eventual journey to the United States is truly inspirational.”

After Ahmedi settled into her new American life, she started telling her incredible story of strength in the face of obstacles. In 2005, she won Good Morning America’s Story of My Life competition and subsequently had her memoir published.

During her time at Willowbrook, Ahmedi shared her story with students and encouraged them to enjoy life, never give up and work hard at their all-important education. Students also had an opportunity to ask Ahmedi questions about her experiences.

“The Other Side of the Sky” is available to buy on Amazon.