Description

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"A powerful coming-of-age story."—Publishers Weekly

A fresh, authentic coming of age story about a rebellious Arab-American girl who finds herself in the middle of a uprising. On her quest for love and adventure on the streets of Cairo, she finds that revolution is everywhere—including in herself.

Miriam just wants to fit in. That's not easy when she's the only Egyptian at her high school and her parents are super traditional. So when she sneaks into a party that gets busted, Mariam knows she's in trouble...big trouble. Convinced she needs more discipline and to reconnect with her roots, Mariam's parents send her to Cairo to stay with her grandmother, her sittu.

But Marian's strict sittu and the country of her heritage are nothing like she imagined, challenging everything Mariam once believed. As Mariam searches for the courage to be true to herself, a teen named Asmaa calls on the people of Egypt to protest their president. The country is on the brink of revolution—and now, in her own way, so is Mariam.

About the Author

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PATRICIA DUNN'S writing has appeared in Salon.com, CSM, The Village Voice, The Nation, L.A. Weekly, and others. With an MFA in creative writing from Sarah Lawrence College, where she also works as the Director of the Writing Institute, this Bronx-raised rebel and former resident of Cairo settled in Connecticut, with her husband, teenage son, and toddler dog. Visit Patricia at patriciadunnauthor.com.

Praise For…

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"The author shines at writing teenagers..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. ." — Kirkus Reviews

"A powerful coming-of-age story set on the brink of Egypt’s January 25 Revolution in 2011... Dunn allows Mariam’s voice its space—making it tentative, passionate, doubting, and utterly believable—while creating a cast of Cairo youth, rebels, and expatriates that upend Mariam’s preconceptions and will do the same for many readers." — Publishers Weekly

"A sweet coming-of-age tale that sheds light on the plight of anyone who feels like an outsider" — School Library Journal

"Told through the eyes of sixteen-year-old Mariam, an Egyptian-American girl who travels to Egypt during the Arab Spring, Rebels by Accident captivates and engrosses the reader. Illuminating for young readers the complex role of youth in the tumultuous Arab Spring, Mariam’s story reflects upon important concerns that American Muslims face, providing a valuable perspective on the power young people can wield in truly affecting change in the world." — American Society For Muslim Advancement

"Rebels by Accident was a fun, lovely, humorous, and bittersweet story about two girls experiencing a country in turmoil and getting to know a grandmother who was full of wisdom and love. " — Wishful Endings

"The fanciful travelogue/romance overlay humanizes the political substrate and draws attention to the connections between American teens and those involved in the protests by highlighting the commonality of their ages and concerns" — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

"An interesting, heartfelt read full of diversity and historical developments, Rebels by Accident is a wonderful read for teens who are curious about cultural diversity and/or political reform." — Compass Book Ratings

"The discussion of politics and revolution is inspiring. A good choice for libraries looking to expand offerings about other cultures and politics." — Booklist