Rebels by Accident

Be the first to write a review

Overview

A troubled teen sent to Cairo finds that revolution is everywhere—including in herself.

When her first party ends in jail, Mariam thinks things can't possibly get worse. But when her parents send her to her grandmother in Cairo, she is sure her life is over. Her Sittu is Darth Vader's evil sister, and ...

See more details below
Paperback
$13.96
BN.com price
(Save 6%)$14.95 List Price
Other sellers (Paperback)
  • All (25) from $3.75   
  • New (15) from $3.99   
  • Used (10) from $3.75   
Note: Kids' Club Eligible. See More Details.
Sending request ...

More About This Book

Overview

A troubled teen sent to Cairo finds that revolution is everywhere—including in herself.

When her first party ends in jail, Mariam thinks things can't possibly get worse. But when her parents send her to her grandmother in Cairo, she is sure her life is over. Her Sittu is Darth Vader's evil sister, and Miriam is convinced that the only sights she'll see in Egypt are the rooms in her grandmother's apartment.

It turns out her Sittu's not so bad. They ride camels by the pyramids and ice skate at a mall.

"Sometimes a moment can change your life," her Sittu says, but it can change the life of a country too. When a girl named Asmaa calls the people of Egypt to protest, Miriam finds herself in the middle of a revolution, running from tear gas and guns.

Oh yeah, and meeting the cutest guy she's ever seen. Falling in love for the first time. And having her first kiss.

Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

Leora Tanenbaum
The Next Best Young Adult Novel. Educational without being preachy, light without being flimsy. … Not only realistic, it's grounded in current events.
— The Huffington Post
Kirkus Reviews
In her debut novel, journalist Dunn tells an ambitious and winning coming-of-age story about an American teenager born to Egyptian parents. Being a teenager probably wasn't a cakewalk for any of us, but when you're a first generation Egyptian-American living in post-9/11 New York, no one can blame you for having a bit of an identity crisis. Mariam, a strong but lost 15-year-old, clutches to her sole friend, the bright and outspoken Deanna. Deanna struggles with her own issues. She's from a single-parent home (she has a "sperm donor" for a father) and contends with a facial deformity that doesn't allow her to smile. At the start of the book, the duo make a rare party appearance that winds up landing them and the rest of their high school class in jail for underage drinking and the presence of marijuana. As a consequence, Mariam's parents decide to send their daughter to Egypt to live with her sittu (grandmother). And, in the only unrealistic plot point in the book, Deanna's mother decides to send her along as well. But while Deanna excitedly prepares for their journey by studying travel books and practicing Arabic with Baba (Mariam's father), Mariam dreads the idea of living with her sittu, whose "iron fist" she grew up fearing. Luckily, her grandmother turns out to be an incredibly warm and interesting woman who teaches Mariam about life and love and to be proud of her ancestry. Though their trip is cut short due to a revolution throughout Egypt, the five-day jaunt is a whirlwind of activity--a trip to the pyramids, ice skating in a mall, a love story for both young women and a brush with the political uprising that both inspires and teaches. The author shines at writing teenagers--no part of how they talk or think feels unfaithful to that delicate stage in life. An excellent young-adult novel that is an important and enjoyable read for both teenage girls and any adult wanting to understand more about the present-day life of Egyptian Americans.
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780985492120
  • Publisher: Alikai Press Inc.
  • Publication date: 8/15/2012
  • Pages: 274
  • Sales rank: 933,584
  • Age range: 9 - 15 Years
  • Product dimensions: 5.50 (w) x 8.50 (h) x 0.70 (d)

Meet the Author

Patricia was the managing editor of Muslimwakeup.com, America's most popular Muslim online magazine from 2003-2008. She has an MFA in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College where she also teaches. Her writing has appeared in Global City Review—where she edited the post-9-11 International Issue—Salon.com, Women's eNews, The Christian Science Monitor, The Village Voice, The Nation, and L.A. Weekly, among other publications.

Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
( 0 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(0)

4 Star

(0)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews

  • Posted August 26, 2012

    Beautiful and touching, one of the books that touched my

    Beautiful and touching, one of the books that touched my heart
    and left a spot there that will never be erased. I loved this book, it
    is set in a time that was truly phenomenal and rebellious in the history
    of the World. This review will be REALLY long, since I have a lot to
    say, please stick with me. It's Mariam's second trip to the police
    station, but this time she is arrested because she was in a party with
    drugs and alcohol. It was her first party, but it looks like it's her
    last, too. Mariam can't even begin to expect her parents punishment, but
    to live the next 5 months of high school with her grandma in Egypt, talk
    a jail sentence. Mariam doesn't even know how to be a Muslim. At least
    there is a bright side to this, she gets to spend the 5 months with best
    friend, Deanna, she is coming, too! Well, it looks like her
    grandma, Sittu (Grandma in Arabic) isn't so bad. They get to climb one
    of the pyramids and ride on a camel's back. There are even cute guys
    here, like Hasan which Deanna seems to be head over heels in love with.
    But the conditions in Egypt are not very good right now, the youth are
    tweeting and posting about a rebellion and a demonstration. Suddenly,
    Mariam is caught in the middle of a rebellion, that's not only in the
    country, but also in ourselves. How will Mariam survive the guns
    shots and the tear-gases? What will she learn from this trip? And will
    she maybe, finally get the boy and her first kiss? Find out much more
    when you read this touchy, superior-crafted, realistic read, Rebels by
    Accident. I loved this book! Absolutely every part of it. This
    story really hit the core of my heart since it was set in a true
    setting. Me and my family spend months last year and even now, watching
    the news, witnessing the rebellion in Tunisia, Egypt, Libia. How people
    in those countries were finally done with their stupid, cruel unfair
    regimes and brought down every so-called president. The rebellion
    is still going in Syria and hundreds of people are killed and tortured
    every day, just watch CNN or BBC. There was even a small rebellion in my
    country, but the government managed to "shush" the people
    quickly, by torturing them and killing dozens. It was horrible, and
    heart-breaking, me and my parents prayed for those people to find their
    place in Heaven and for this cruel regime to end. Another aspect of
    this novel that I loved, is the development. When Mariam comes to Egypt,
    she doesn't even know Arabic or anything for that matter.But the way she
    learns is beautiful. They way Patricia Dunn, the author, makes readers
    understand the nature of Muslims. Many Muslims are prejudiced all around
    the world every day, people think that we are all like the gun-carrying
    murderous assassins who call their massacre, "Islam". And we
    are not all those pure, un-educated people who know nothing about the
    world and the technology. We are all like you, our souls are not
    the clothes we were, or the things we do. We are free here, females are
    free to do whatever they do, there is no rituals or rules that we need
    to stick to. Even if we wear cloaks or scarfs around our hair, we are
    just the same as you. We all make this world they way it is, we ARE the
    world. That's what Mariam learns trough this story. Nothing is
    shallow or superficial in this novel. Every characters have their deep
    levels and personalities. Deanne, Mariam's best friend is such an
    open-minded, easy learner, she is just so courageous and lovely. Hasan
    is the greatest guy you could meet. Sittu, Mariam's grandma is so wise
    and touchy, she is really breath taking. Even Mohammad is one the most
    courageous guys I have ever seen. Patricia Dunn has truly sewn this
    story of pure silk; it is soft, beautiful and touchy. It really
    portraits what was happening the Arab countries last year and even now,
    she has built a realistic story that will stick with readers, young and
    old, alike. If you want to open your eyes to the world, and keep your
    mind wide open, but still enjoy a tale of self-discovery, then I am
    pretty sure that this book will make it to your favorite reads of ALL TIME.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted August 24, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    Wonderful story!

    My review:

    The blurb seemed really interesting and caught my attention right away. So did the book itself. Rebels by Accident by Patricia Dunn is a very good YA novel; it is well written has very likable characters and touches important issues like coming of age, religion, family. It is easy to read and after you have turned the last page, you keep wanting more!

    Plot:

    The book starts with 15-years old girl Mariam being arrested on a party, having a conversation with her best friend Deanna. You quickly find out, that Mariam is American of Egyptian origin who got to go to her first party secretly without her parents knowing about it. As a result of her actions, her parents decide to send her to Cairo, Egypt to learn how to behave properly as a young Muslim woman.

    Mariam is mortified by her parents' decision and on her way to Cairo it seems that she hates everything about being a Muslim, being Egyptian, speaking Arabic language. It's her way to rebel against the school harassment and against her parents, she wants nothing to do with her heritage and religion, she just wants to be American.

    As the story develops you find out, that Mariam's grandmother - Sittu - is not as bad as it sounded and Mariam and Sittu are quickly creating a very strong bond with each other. Besides that, she discovers, that Egypt is different of what she has imagined: parts of it are much better and parts of it are much worse. She finds new friends, a new country to care about and last, but not least, her roots.

    The plot was fascinating, well created and quickly paced. The on thing which I missed though was better insight into the revolution in Egypt and its part in the plot. I do understand why the author did not emphasize it more and it is quite difficult to incorporate the revolution into YA novel, but I felt that this part of the book had a too sudden end to it. I wanted more! I was in Cairo few weeks after the revolution and I think that the author did a wonderful job to mirror, what happened with people and their country during the revolution.

    Characters:

    I really liked Mariam! I think that is due to the way author described her. Mariam had her insecurities and doubts about who she is and in the beginning of the story she really struggled to be like others. When she travelled to Cairo, she started to grow into a young woman knowing what she wants and how she wants it. What is even more important she found her roots and dealt with the fact that she is American Muslim and this is how she wants to be.

    Deanna, Mariam's best friend, was so lively and energetic, that it scared me! :) She could be severely annoying and stubborn like teenagers are, but she had a heart of gold. She was a sweet girl and I think her curiosity, enthusiasm and stubbornness leaded her into serious lessons she learned on the Tahrir Square.

    My favorite character in the book was Mariam's grandmother - Sittu. I adored that woman! I was happy that she was not made into a stereotypical Muslim grandmother, who forced Mariam into her decisions, but that she was well-educated, smart, modern and I loved she had a Facebook account (which not many women especially in her age use in Egypt)! I think that the advices (sic!) what she gave to Mariam helped her to become to a strong minded young woman.

    Generally:

    I highly recommend Rebels by Accident by Patricia Dunn!

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted August 16, 2012

    more from this reviewer

    Rebels by Accident is fun and enlightening. Patricia Dunn engage

    Rebels by Accident is fun and enlightening. Patricia Dunn engages
    readers with a young Egyptian-American teen who struggles to accept
    being Muslim and her Egyptian roots. Every page captures the essence of
    a young girl who finds herself through hope and motivation. Mariam and
    her best friend Deanna are sent to Cairo, Egypt as a form of punishment.
    Turns out the trip not only straightens Mariam's attitude, but the time
    spent with her wise sittu also helps Mariam come to terms with who she
    is. Dunn gives Mariam's experience more than one outlet to inspire young
    teens. Mariam's learning to stand up for what she believes in and
    learning to believe in herself are just examples of the lessons that add
    value to the novel. Deanna and Mariam can both be considered the main
    protagonists of the novel, even though Deanna isn't Egyptian. Deanna's
    passion for Egyptian culture coupled with the fact that she has
    insecurities similar to Mariam's allows her to share the spotlight of
    the story. But, at times Mariam's thoughts center around Deanna just a
    little too much, and not enough on her own ideals and perspectives on
    the culture she's reacquainting herself with. Rebels by Accident is all
    in all an inspirational read that's not to be missed. Mariam's story is
    one that will no doubt reach the hearts of all through its realness and
    ability to relate to all readers. Originally posted on Lovey Dovey
    Books *ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted August 14, 2012

    I loved getting a unique view of what's going on in Egypt today

    I loved getting a unique view of what's going on in Egypt today through a teenager's eyes. Mariam is a great character, getting into trouble in the States and being sent to her grandmother in Egypt. My daughter (13 yrs old) loved it too and since she studied Egypt in school she really felt she knew more about present day Egypt. The writing is compelling. Hard to put down. Beautifully written.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
Sort by: Showing all of 4 Customer Reviews
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)