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Rebels by Accident
"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.
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.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 15, 2012
14 people are currently reading
947 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Dunn
3 books80 followersPATRICIA DUNN (AKA T.M. Dunn) is the author of the novel, "Last Stop on the 6" (Bordighera Press, Nov. 9, 2021) and the young adult novel, "Rebels by Accident" (Sourcebooks Fire, Dec. 2014). Her debut psychological thriller, use the "Her Father's Daughter/T.M Dunn" is coming out with Crooked Lane Books, on July 18, 2023.
Her writing has appeared in Salon, The Village Voice, The Nation, LA Weekly, and The Christian Science Monitor. She has also been published in the New York Times best-selling anthology, Love, InshAllah: The Secret Love Lives of American Muslim Women (Soft Skull); and elsewhere. Dunn has served as the senior director of the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College, where she holds an MFA in creative writing. She is the co-founder of The Publish and Promote Your Book Conference, and The Joe Papaleo Writers Workshop in Cetara, Italy. She is also one of the founding members of keytothecastleworkshop.com, which takes writers and artists to the Amalfi coast for a week-long generative story telling experience.
Patricia, raised in the Bronx, travels the world, writing, and teaching, or is at home in Stamford, CT with her family, 26 plants, and Blanqui--the rescue dog that rescued her.
For more information on Patricia, or to sign up for her newsletter, please go to her website: TMDUNNAUTHOR.COM
Her writing has appeared in Salon, The Village Voice, The Nation, LA Weekly, and The Christian Science Monitor. She has also been published in the New York Times best-selling anthology, Love, InshAllah: The Secret Love Lives of American Muslim Women (Soft Skull); and elsewhere. Dunn has served as the senior director of the Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College, where she holds an MFA in creative writing. She is the co-founder of The Publish and Promote Your Book Conference, and The Joe Papaleo Writers Workshop in Cetara, Italy. She is also one of the founding members of keytothecastleworkshop.com, which takes writers and artists to the Amalfi coast for a week-long generative story telling experience.
Patricia, raised in the Bronx, travels the world, writing, and teaching, or is at home in Stamford, CT with her family, 26 plants, and Blanqui--the rescue dog that rescued her.
For more information on Patricia, or to sign up for her newsletter, please go to her website: TMDUNNAUTHOR.COM
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December 5, 2014
This review is also on my blog, The Library Canary.
***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way changed my opinion of the book. The review below is my open and honest opinion.***
I requested this book because of the interesting topic and setting. I’m calling this historical fiction, but this is pretty recent historical fiction, as these events just happened in 2011. I was excited to learn more about this time in Egypt’s history as well as experience a different setting from the usual [insert U.S. city here] that typically occur in YA.
But ultimately this book fell completely flat for me. Here’s what I didn’t like:
1. The main character. Mariam was literally one of the most annoying people I have ever met. She was constantly hating on herself, her religion, her people, her country. I get having insecurities about yourself and being uncomfortable that your family is different, but this girl just took it to the extreme. Her blatant jealousy of her friend was over the top and seemed both exaggerated and cliché.
2. The setting. Egypt is an awesome setting. So why do I feel like we weren’t in Egypt? None of the descriptions in this book transported me to Egypt. Even when they went to visit the pyramids, it just felt like a fun outing. The magic of Egypt and the difference in culture wasn’t captured.
3. Instalove. Oh my gosh, you guys. There was so much freaking instalove in this book. Instalove for the main character. Instalove for the best friend. Even instalove for the freaking Grandmother. I’m surprised that my eyes aren’t permanently stuck in the back of my head from all the eye-rolling I did in this one.
4. Mariam’s friend, Deanna. Deanna just seemed so fake to me. She complained about stupid American tourists, but then she acted like a stupid American tourist. “A protest? We have to go to that! It’ll be so fun!” Fun? Are you kidding me? No, you just sound ignorant.
5. Mariam’s parents’ decision to send her to Egypt. This makes zero sense to me. Her parents are super strict and super overprotective. They know there is dissent in Egypt right now. It’s not a secret. So where do they send their daughter? Directly into all that political dissent. Into a country that they know beats and tortures their prisoners. This decision just didn’t seem to make any sense to me.
What I liked:
1. The historical aspect where we got to know about the revolution. The sense of hope as the people protested. I liked Hassan’s sister. And Asmaa, the girl who made the video. It was these minor characters who we only saw for five seconds that captured me. They showed extreme courage. I don’t know that I could ever risk getting arrested and tortured for the sake of my country. I’m not sure if I would be that brave. But these kids were.
The characters in this book just kind of killed it for me. Not one of them really stood out. Most of them either made me cringe or roll my eyes. I think the topic is an important one, but it could have been executed much better with improved characterization. Still, this book has an average rating on Goodreads of 4.28 stars so maybe it was just me...
***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way changed my opinion of the book. The review below is my open and honest opinion.***
I requested this book because of the interesting topic and setting. I’m calling this historical fiction, but this is pretty recent historical fiction, as these events just happened in 2011. I was excited to learn more about this time in Egypt’s history as well as experience a different setting from the usual [insert U.S. city here] that typically occur in YA.
But ultimately this book fell completely flat for me. Here’s what I didn’t like:
1. The main character. Mariam was literally one of the most annoying people I have ever met. She was constantly hating on herself, her religion, her people, her country. I get having insecurities about yourself and being uncomfortable that your family is different, but this girl just took it to the extreme. Her blatant jealousy of her friend was over the top and seemed both exaggerated and cliché.
2. The setting. Egypt is an awesome setting. So why do I feel like we weren’t in Egypt? None of the descriptions in this book transported me to Egypt. Even when they went to visit the pyramids, it just felt like a fun outing. The magic of Egypt and the difference in culture wasn’t captured.
3. Instalove. Oh my gosh, you guys. There was so much freaking instalove in this book. Instalove for the main character. Instalove for the best friend. Even instalove for the freaking Grandmother. I’m surprised that my eyes aren’t permanently stuck in the back of my head from all the eye-rolling I did in this one.
4. Mariam’s friend, Deanna. Deanna just seemed so fake to me. She complained about stupid American tourists, but then she acted like a stupid American tourist. “A protest? We have to go to that! It’ll be so fun!” Fun? Are you kidding me? No, you just sound ignorant.
5. Mariam’s parents’ decision to send her to Egypt. This makes zero sense to me. Her parents are super strict and super overprotective. They know there is dissent in Egypt right now. It’s not a secret. So where do they send their daughter? Directly into all that political dissent. Into a country that they know beats and tortures their prisoners. This decision just didn’t seem to make any sense to me.
What I liked:
1. The historical aspect where we got to know about the revolution. The sense of hope as the people protested. I liked Hassan’s sister. And Asmaa, the girl who made the video. It was these minor characters who we only saw for five seconds that captured me. They showed extreme courage. I don’t know that I could ever risk getting arrested and tortured for the sake of my country. I’m not sure if I would be that brave. But these kids were.
The characters in this book just kind of killed it for me. Not one of them really stood out. Most of them either made me cringe or roll my eyes. I think the topic is an important one, but it could have been executed much better with improved characterization. Still, this book has an average rating on Goodreads of 4.28 stars so maybe it was just me...
December 11, 2014
Miriam is 16 years old and the only Egyptian American at her school. Her best friend Deanna has a physical diability that prohibits her from smiling. Both girls are teased and bullied. Deanna, however is able to maneuver through the bullying and is better equipped at defending herself. In an attempt to fit in with the crowd, the girls decide to go to a party, but have to do it on the sneak. When drugs are reported and the girls are arrested simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, the girls are sent off the Miriam’s grandmother in Egypt for a cooling off period by her parents. Unbeknownst to Miriam’s parents, they had just sent their daughter and her best friend into the midst of the most significant movement in modern day Egyptian society, the tumultuous uprisings of the Egyptian Spring protests in January of 2011!
In a storyline that covers a mere five days, the girls literally experience the events of a lifetime. Dunn, drawing on personal experience, truly knows what it is to be a teenager in the Islamic world. She has spent most of her adult life in Egypt and takes the reader on the ride of their life through the modern Egyptian malls, past the ancient wonders, through romantic interludes, past issues of diversity and through the ups and downs of friendships. Using Rebels, an originally self-published novel, as the perfect literary object to help teens deal with how to become a part of the changing world, Dinn chooses to handle this through the eyes of young Egygtian Moslems who are struggling with the contradictions of today’s society.
I believe diversity is important in all literature, but especially in YA. I come from a small town called The Bronx. Everyone in my neighborhood was originally from Italy, but we, my family, were the “Americans” on the block. I grew up knowing that I was different, but it was from the stories I read, the books recommended to me by my school and public librarians, that I learned there was a whole world full of people who were “different,” and different was not bad, it was good, very good.
- quote from I Am a Reader Blog’s published interview of author
In a storyline that covers a mere five days, the girls literally experience the events of a lifetime. Dunn, drawing on personal experience, truly knows what it is to be a teenager in the Islamic world. She has spent most of her adult life in Egypt and takes the reader on the ride of their life through the modern Egyptian malls, past the ancient wonders, through romantic interludes, past issues of diversity and through the ups and downs of friendships. Using Rebels, an originally self-published novel, as the perfect literary object to help teens deal with how to become a part of the changing world, Dinn chooses to handle this through the eyes of young Egygtian Moslems who are struggling with the contradictions of today’s society.
I believe diversity is important in all literature, but especially in YA. I come from a small town called The Bronx. Everyone in my neighborhood was originally from Italy, but we, my family, were the “Americans” on the block. I grew up knowing that I was different, but it was from the stories I read, the books recommended to me by my school and public librarians, that I learned there was a whole world full of people who were “different,” and different was not bad, it was good, very good.
- quote from I Am a Reader Blog’s published interview of author
November 24, 2014
There are not enough words to describe this book, but I guess I will try...How about awesome? Fabulous? Mind-blowing? Can you tell I really liked this book?
First, I loved this book because of the setting. I've never been to Egypt, but I really felt like I was there touring the pyramids and riding on the back of a camel. Dunn did a great job pulling in the Egyptian culture as well, without making it too touristy. As a reader, you were able to see so much more of the country by pulling in the language and culture. Sometimes authors who try and write in other countries or have characters who are diverse, it ends up being forced. But with Rebels by Accident, it flowed really well and nothing stuck out and not believable.
Second, the characters Deanna and Mariam were awesome. My best friend since the first grade is named Mariam, so it was fun to see her name in a book. I think that Dunn did a great job in characterization. The friends mirrored each other perfectly. Where Mariam was shy, Deanna took control. Where Deanna didn't feel sure of herself, Mariam was there to make her feel better. They even fought like best friends would! Mariam's grandmother, or Sittu, was also a very lovable character. You could really tell she loved her granddaughter.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to my middle school students and feel comfortable with them reading it. I would also recommend it to the older readers as well. - Laura
First, I loved this book because of the setting. I've never been to Egypt, but I really felt like I was there touring the pyramids and riding on the back of a camel. Dunn did a great job pulling in the Egyptian culture as well, without making it too touristy. As a reader, you were able to see so much more of the country by pulling in the language and culture. Sometimes authors who try and write in other countries or have characters who are diverse, it ends up being forced. But with Rebels by Accident, it flowed really well and nothing stuck out and not believable.
Second, the characters Deanna and Mariam were awesome. My best friend since the first grade is named Mariam, so it was fun to see her name in a book. I think that Dunn did a great job in characterization. The friends mirrored each other perfectly. Where Mariam was shy, Deanna took control. Where Deanna didn't feel sure of herself, Mariam was there to make her feel better. They even fought like best friends would! Mariam's grandmother, or Sittu, was also a very lovable character. You could really tell she loved her granddaughter.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend it to my middle school students and feel comfortable with them reading it. I would also recommend it to the older readers as well. - Laura
January 12, 2017
This is such an exciting read! I started reading it and couldn't put it down! The protagonist is likeable and relatable as a young adolescent who transforms into a self-assured, confident person who learns to appreciate her cultural heritage. It's a contemporary novel, set against the 2011 Egyptian revolution, and Dunn realistically portrays the technological (Facebook, twitter, iPhones) and cultural and even linguistic (OMG!) usages of teenagers. And the friendship between Deanna and Mariam is one of the richest and most realistic in any recent YA novel I've read.
October 29, 2012
I give it 4.5 stars. As a "grown up" 1st generation American, I could relate to Mariam's feelings of alienation from her peers. On the bright side, she had her BFF Deanna to support her when the mean girls of high school brought her down. On the other hand, Mariam finds herself battling feelings of jealousy when first her Sittu (grandmother) and then A Boy both seem to prefer Deanna to her. I understand her sense of inadequacy and smallness, but because of the sass with which she tells her story, I empathize, rather than roll my eyes.
Dunn weaves an engrossing tale which sometimes had me in unbearable suspense and other times saw me sniveling into a wad of tissues. I did wonder at overprotective parents who'd send their daughter abroad with just a friend, when she didn't seem to enjoy that much freedom otherwise (I also wondered that Deanna's mother would let her go to Egypt to be looked after by a stranger). I didn't always understand the actions/reactions of Sittu and Deanna, though I did come to enjoy them both and root for them all. But these are small things to me, as the story grabbed me from the beginning and made me stay up later at night than I had any right to be.
As for Mariam, I don't feel it's correct to call this her coming of age story, as she's still got a lot of growing and learning to do. It cheered me to see her embrace her heritage by the end of the book, as well as the responsibilities inherent in being a True Weirdo. Lord knows, when the time came for her to perform a very daunting task (and act of love), she handled it with a courage and maturity that I doubt I'm capable of at the age of 41.
So, if you're looking for an engaging read through an historic revolution, you'll take my advices (not a typo) and pick up "Rebels by Accident" and read it with your daughters. (And sons!)
Dunn weaves an engrossing tale which sometimes had me in unbearable suspense and other times saw me sniveling into a wad of tissues. I did wonder at overprotective parents who'd send their daughter abroad with just a friend, when she didn't seem to enjoy that much freedom otherwise (I also wondered that Deanna's mother would let her go to Egypt to be looked after by a stranger). I didn't always understand the actions/reactions of Sittu and Deanna, though I did come to enjoy them both and root for them all. But these are small things to me, as the story grabbed me from the beginning and made me stay up later at night than I had any right to be.
As for Mariam, I don't feel it's correct to call this her coming of age story, as she's still got a lot of growing and learning to do. It cheered me to see her embrace her heritage by the end of the book, as well as the responsibilities inherent in being a True Weirdo. Lord knows, when the time came for her to perform a very daunting task (and act of love), she handled it with a courage and maturity that I doubt I'm capable of at the age of 41.
So, if you're looking for an engaging read through an historic revolution, you'll take my advices (not a typo) and pick up "Rebels by Accident" and read it with your daughters. (And sons!)
July 3, 2012
Spoiler alert! I was lucky enough to get an advance reading copy of "Rebels By Accident", and I'm happy I did! Mariam, not quite 16, ends up in jail when the police bust a party she's attending with a friend. Though she and Deanna are entirely innocent, their parents are - naturally - furious. The next thing Mariam knows, she's on a plane headed for Cairo to stay with her father's mother. Deanna is going with her.
Deanna is excited to be visiting Egypt, but Mariam is convinced they won't see anything but the inside of her sittu's apartment. Sittu, however, is quite a character in her own right. The girls discover that she's computer-savvy, among other things, and has connections to the young rebels on Facebook and Twitter. But, whatever her own opinions, Sittu intends to keep her granddaughters safe. Though Deanna longs to go to Tahrir square and join the protests, Sittu has other plans. Sometimes, though, fate can intervene-
If the events toward the end of the book seem melodramatic - well, sometimes life just is that way. Mariam's voice is clear and often laugh-out-loud funny. The writing, though simple, is evocative: I felt Mariam's panic as she searched for Deanna in a mob of protesters or waited in a hospital for word of her Sittu. As for Sittu herself, every teen in the world, IMHO, should get to know her and hear her speech to Mariam about holding up her "freak flag" and waving it. It's also true that people we've only known for a few days or weeks can change us forever, if they are people we love.
This is a good book. It is warm and clear and humane, and girls who enjoyed "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" should love it.
Deanna is excited to be visiting Egypt, but Mariam is convinced they won't see anything but the inside of her sittu's apartment. Sittu, however, is quite a character in her own right. The girls discover that she's computer-savvy, among other things, and has connections to the young rebels on Facebook and Twitter. But, whatever her own opinions, Sittu intends to keep her granddaughters safe. Though Deanna longs to go to Tahrir square and join the protests, Sittu has other plans. Sometimes, though, fate can intervene-
If the events toward the end of the book seem melodramatic - well, sometimes life just is that way. Mariam's voice is clear and often laugh-out-loud funny. The writing, though simple, is evocative: I felt Mariam's panic as she searched for Deanna in a mob of protesters or waited in a hospital for word of her Sittu. As for Sittu herself, every teen in the world, IMHO, should get to know her and hear her speech to Mariam about holding up her "freak flag" and waving it. It's also true that people we've only known for a few days or weeks can change us forever, if they are people we love.
This is a good book. It is warm and clear and humane, and girls who enjoyed "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" should love it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 7, 2017
After the party Mariam goes to with her best friend, gets busted by the cops, and everyone gets arrested, her parents decided to send her and her best friend Deanna, to Cairo to stay with her with her sittu. But on January 25th, the rebellion against President Mubarak changes Mariam’s life. Will the rebellion change her life for the better? Or will it just make things worse?
Rebels By Accident is an outstanding book because of how the informational book was. I learned so much about my country’s history. While reading this book, I felt so many emotions. I cried and I laughed.
I was concerned on how they perceived egyptians. The book made us (egyptians) seem as if we know english. Not all of us know english, and those of who do, are not perfectly fluent in it, like they are in the book.
I was really captivated by the way Dunn described Egypt itself (not egyptians). The amount of detail and description that went into the description of Egypt was phenomenal. I also enjoyed how they used the arabic language to emphasize things and to also humor the audience.
Something I would recommend if you are going to read this book is that you will want to do research on President Mubarak, Asmaa Mahfouz, and learn some arabic.
A quote I really liked in the book was “Banat gareeba, ageeba wa gameela begad.” This is a quote in arabic. In english, this means “Truly strange, weird, and beautiful girls.”
Rebels By Accident is an outstanding book because of how the informational book was. I learned so much about my country’s history. While reading this book, I felt so many emotions. I cried and I laughed.
I was concerned on how they perceived egyptians. The book made us (egyptians) seem as if we know english. Not all of us know english, and those of who do, are not perfectly fluent in it, like they are in the book.
I was really captivated by the way Dunn described Egypt itself (not egyptians). The amount of detail and description that went into the description of Egypt was phenomenal. I also enjoyed how they used the arabic language to emphasize things and to also humor the audience.
Something I would recommend if you are going to read this book is that you will want to do research on President Mubarak, Asmaa Mahfouz, and learn some arabic.
A quote I really liked in the book was “Banat gareeba, ageeba wa gameela begad.” This is a quote in arabic. In english, this means “Truly strange, weird, and beautiful girls.”
February 20, 2015
After Mariam and Deanna get into trouble for sneaking into a party where there are alcohol and drugs, they are sent to Egypt to spend time with Mariam's grandmother. I think this is a good choice for my classroom bookshelf. Themes: self-acceptance, confidence, tolerance
October 28, 2015
teenage angst amidst the egyptian revolution. pretty decent for YA fiction.
November 19, 2022
Another book I read when I was younger and have recently reread. A good book for younger audiences with good messages. Not necessarily the writing style I enjoy nowadays, but was nostalgic to read.
August 22, 2012
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.
December 12, 2014
*Review copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!*
From the moment that I set eyes on this book, I knew that I was going to be captivated from the first page. Firstly, the cover is utterly gorgeous and so simple that it suits this contemporary-diverse novel perfectly, and second—everyone'll want something to brighten up their days once in a while, right? Thankfully, this book is it. Rebels by Accident was a really good read that kept me up all night until I finished it.
Honestly, now that I think about the whole experience of reading this, I've come to realize that this was one of the most diverse and unique books that I've read this year. And yes, we do need more diverse books. I'm a total leader and I stand up for that cause, since I feel like we don't get to read enough of those books so often.
This is about an Egyptian-American, Mariam, who's parents decide that she should go on a trip, away from school to Cairo, Egypt where her grandmother/sittu lives. Thankfully, she has her best friend Deanna by her side and is able to try to connect with her "evil" grandmother. At the same time, this book covers issues that we don't mainly think about when we hear the word, "Egypt." Who would think that there is so much unfairness and unjustness in a country where some of the world's greatest sights are found? Of course, in order to see that, you'll need to see between the lines and figure that out.
What really made me smile while reading this was that Dunn has captured the attention of readers by dealing with issues that we can easily see on the news anytime now. Feminism, poverty, political affairs, crime, just about anything in an once in-a-lifetime trip that two best friends took together.
I have to say that the concept and the plot were both there, strongly. I was captured and unable to let go from this masterpiece-like concept. I tear up because I'm so overwhelmed with happiness that an author has chosen to go through this direction by writing such an inspiring story that deals with subjects that many people can relate to. If you want a story that relates to your self-problems, I'd probably recommend booking an appointment with Patricia over here. ;)
What I did have a problem with and what brought my rating down to a three star was the characters. Both Mariam and Deanna weren't relatable to me. Sure, they did have an adorable friendship that will make you squeal and blush when you realize that these characters were always there for each other from the start to finish, but each of them specifically were bland creatures. I just wish that I was able to relate to them even more. Maybe then, my opinion would've been much more positive and happier than it already is. They didn't care about anything except being rebels and about some issues. What about family? What about how lucky they are? Nada.
NO ROMANCE?
No romance. :) And that was another great thing about this book.
But in the end, I guess I rather stick with a 3 star rating since the characters' attitudes were ferocious. Rebels by Accident was a witty funny story that really popped out at me, especially since the plot was simply there.
This review can also be found on A Thousand Lives Lived, check it out for more reviews!
From the moment that I set eyes on this book, I knew that I was going to be captivated from the first page. Firstly, the cover is utterly gorgeous and so simple that it suits this contemporary-diverse novel perfectly, and second—everyone'll want something to brighten up their days once in a while, right? Thankfully, this book is it. Rebels by Accident was a really good read that kept me up all night until I finished it.
Honestly, now that I think about the whole experience of reading this, I've come to realize that this was one of the most diverse and unique books that I've read this year. And yes, we do need more diverse books. I'm a total leader and I stand up for that cause, since I feel like we don't get to read enough of those books so often.
This is about an Egyptian-American, Mariam, who's parents decide that she should go on a trip, away from school to Cairo, Egypt where her grandmother/sittu lives. Thankfully, she has her best friend Deanna by her side and is able to try to connect with her "evil" grandmother. At the same time, this book covers issues that we don't mainly think about when we hear the word, "Egypt." Who would think that there is so much unfairness and unjustness in a country where some of the world's greatest sights are found? Of course, in order to see that, you'll need to see between the lines and figure that out.
What really made me smile while reading this was that Dunn has captured the attention of readers by dealing with issues that we can easily see on the news anytime now. Feminism, poverty, political affairs, crime, just about anything in an once in-a-lifetime trip that two best friends took together.
I have to say that the concept and the plot were both there, strongly. I was captured and unable to let go from this masterpiece-like concept. I tear up because I'm so overwhelmed with happiness that an author has chosen to go through this direction by writing such an inspiring story that deals with subjects that many people can relate to. If you want a story that relates to your self-problems, I'd probably recommend booking an appointment with Patricia over here. ;)
What I did have a problem with and what brought my rating down to a three star was the characters. Both Mariam and Deanna weren't relatable to me. Sure, they did have an adorable friendship that will make you squeal and blush when you realize that these characters were always there for each other from the start to finish, but each of them specifically were bland creatures. I just wish that I was able to relate to them even more. Maybe then, my opinion would've been much more positive and happier than it already is. They didn't care about anything except being rebels and about some issues. What about family? What about how lucky they are? Nada.
NO ROMANCE?
No romance. :) And that was another great thing about this book.
But in the end, I guess I rather stick with a 3 star rating since the characters' attitudes were ferocious. Rebels by Accident was a witty funny story that really popped out at me, especially since the plot was simply there.
This review can also be found on A Thousand Lives Lived, check it out for more reviews!
August 24, 2012
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!
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!
March 13, 2017
Loved this YA selection, it addressed so many issues so well- racism, self-confidence, privilege by virtue of one's birthplace, respect and compassion for others. Highly recommended!
January 29, 2015
Rebels by Accident by Patricia Dunn is a contemporary YA novel about an Egyptian-American girl whose father sends her to stay with her grandmother in Egypt after she gets into (normal teenager) trouble at home.
I have some mixed feelings about this novel, I think mostly stemming from the fact that I don't read a huge number of non-speculative contemporary YA. The story starts with Mariam in jail because the party she went to with her best friend, Deanna, was busted by police. Her somewhat conservative father panics and decides to ship her (and Deanna) off to Egypt to stay with his mother. Mariam has spent her life hearing stories about how horribly strict her grandmother (sittu) is and expects to spend her whole time in Egypt locked inside and not allowed to do anything. Her friend is much more optimistic and excited about trip.
They get to Egypt a couple of days before the 25th of January 2011, which is when a revolution began (you might remember seeing it on the news, particularly when the internet was cut off). Anyway, when the girls arrive, they are confronted by a more oppressive environment than Mariam was prepared for but also a more liberal grandmother.
This is a type of coming-of-age story, although perhaps "accepting yourself" is a more accurate description. Mariam feels out of place in New York where most of the other kids at school are racist and mean and the teachers are often unintentionally (or so it seemed to me) racist. Growing up in the US post-9/11, she doesn't feel that being Muslim or Egyptian is anything to be proud of and she just wants to fit in and be normal. Having her parents send her away for going to a party does not strike her as something that will help her fit in.
In Egypt Mariam learns a lot more about her sittu than she learnt from her father's reminiscences and learns to be proud of being Egyptian. The title is probably a bit stronger than actual events in the book, but it has a nice ring to it. Suffice to say the protests that kick-off the revolution play a part in the story. The "mixed feelings" I mentioned at the start of the review are mostly over the ending, so I won't spell them out here.
One last thing I want to mention that I wasn't particularly expecting is Deanna's disability. She is unable to move the muscles in her face which govern facial expression (I think from birth), so she can't smile or frown, etc. Deanna and Mariam partly bonded over the fact that they're both weird outsiders as far as the other kids at school are concerned, and it means that although it's for different reasons, Deanna can empathise a lot with Mariam's self-loathing. The fact that Deanna comes from a very different background (single, liberal, lawyer mother) provides a nice counterpoint to Mariam's family background.
I highly recommend Rebels by Accident to fans of contemporary YA and in particular anyone looking for a good diverse read would do well to give this one a shot.
4.5 / 5 stars
Read more reviews on my blog.
I have some mixed feelings about this novel, I think mostly stemming from the fact that I don't read a huge number of non-speculative contemporary YA. The story starts with Mariam in jail because the party she went to with her best friend, Deanna, was busted by police. Her somewhat conservative father panics and decides to ship her (and Deanna) off to Egypt to stay with his mother. Mariam has spent her life hearing stories about how horribly strict her grandmother (sittu) is and expects to spend her whole time in Egypt locked inside and not allowed to do anything. Her friend is much more optimistic and excited about trip.
They get to Egypt a couple of days before the 25th of January 2011, which is when a revolution began (you might remember seeing it on the news, particularly when the internet was cut off). Anyway, when the girls arrive, they are confronted by a more oppressive environment than Mariam was prepared for but also a more liberal grandmother.
This is a type of coming-of-age story, although perhaps "accepting yourself" is a more accurate description. Mariam feels out of place in New York where most of the other kids at school are racist and mean and the teachers are often unintentionally (or so it seemed to me) racist. Growing up in the US post-9/11, she doesn't feel that being Muslim or Egyptian is anything to be proud of and she just wants to fit in and be normal. Having her parents send her away for going to a party does not strike her as something that will help her fit in.
In Egypt Mariam learns a lot more about her sittu than she learnt from her father's reminiscences and learns to be proud of being Egyptian. The title is probably a bit stronger than actual events in the book, but it has a nice ring to it. Suffice to say the protests that kick-off the revolution play a part in the story. The "mixed feelings" I mentioned at the start of the review are mostly over the ending, so I won't spell them out here.
One last thing I want to mention that I wasn't particularly expecting is Deanna's disability. She is unable to move the muscles in her face which govern facial expression (I think from birth), so she can't smile or frown, etc. Deanna and Mariam partly bonded over the fact that they're both weird outsiders as far as the other kids at school are concerned, and it means that although it's for different reasons, Deanna can empathise a lot with Mariam's self-loathing. The fact that Deanna comes from a very different background (single, liberal, lawyer mother) provides a nice counterpoint to Mariam's family background.
I highly recommend Rebels by Accident to fans of contemporary YA and in particular anyone looking for a good diverse read would do well to give this one a shot.
4.5 / 5 stars
Read more reviews on my blog.
December 31, 2014
This was one of the books I was most excited about from ALAN (land of ARCs and meeting fabulous authors!), and it did not disappoint. The only reason this is not a five star review is that the whole book felt really fast to me. If they would have arrived two days earlier in Egypt, it would have allowed things to wind up just a bit more before the big day of crazy coincidences.
At least one of the other reviews has complained about Instalove, which is one of my pet peeves as well, but in this context I gave the instalove, and the aforementioned day of crazy coincidences, a pass--for similar reasons. 1) Instalove, and instafriendship, instahate, etc., are all magnified on trips. Relationships that take place in a time-sensitive environment just intensify. This is a real phenomena and anyone who hasn't experienced it simply hasn't traveled enough. These girls are also fairly inexperienced in the relationship department, so when you combine these things, the feeling that they've met the boys of their dreams is going to happen. We end the book two weeks later. These relationships will probably fizzle the way most travel relationships do. The girls haven't figured that out yet. It's OK. 2) Egypt is a very big place, but a very small world. If you flow in certain social circles, you are likely to run into people without meaning to. So it's not entirely surprising that the girls see Hassan at the mall, or that Ahmed shows up after seeing them on the plane (though being able to spot someone at the Sphinx felt off), etc. This probably seems improbable to most readers, but I've lived in Egypt, and this sort of thing does happen.
The Egypt portrayed in the book, where the pyramids are just a side-note and traffic is far more interesting and telling, is the Egypt that I know. The pyramids scene could have been played up more for the absolute bombardment by salespeople aspect, but you do tend to get mobbed less when you get there by private car instead of by bus. The traffic circle scene is perfect. The second time I spent a summer term in Egypt my apartment was on the eighth story above Suez Canal St. and the Alexandria-Cairo Desert Rd and we used to watch traffic from our balcony. The fender-benders and advices--that's true.The mall also felt right.
I wanted the girls to spend a bit more time getting to know Egypt before jumping into the revolution, and a bit more time putting their lives back together when they got back, but I appreciate the book for its ability to bring readers into an important contemporary crisis, and I suspect that it will cause most of them to want to learn more about the continuing turmoil. The movement in Egypt is a youth movement, and our young people would do well to start engaging with it. If a bit of instalove gets them to read the latest on Gen. Sisi, I'll take it.
At least one of the other reviews has complained about Instalove, which is one of my pet peeves as well, but in this context I gave the instalove, and the aforementioned day of crazy coincidences, a pass--for similar reasons. 1) Instalove, and instafriendship, instahate, etc., are all magnified on trips. Relationships that take place in a time-sensitive environment just intensify. This is a real phenomena and anyone who hasn't experienced it simply hasn't traveled enough. These girls are also fairly inexperienced in the relationship department, so when you combine these things, the feeling that they've met the boys of their dreams is going to happen. We end the book two weeks later. These relationships will probably fizzle the way most travel relationships do. The girls haven't figured that out yet. It's OK. 2) Egypt is a very big place, but a very small world. If you flow in certain social circles, you are likely to run into people without meaning to. So it's not entirely surprising that the girls see Hassan at the mall, or that Ahmed shows up after seeing them on the plane (though being able to spot someone at the Sphinx felt off), etc. This probably seems improbable to most readers, but I've lived in Egypt, and this sort of thing does happen.
The Egypt portrayed in the book, where the pyramids are just a side-note and traffic is far more interesting and telling, is the Egypt that I know. The pyramids scene could have been played up more for the absolute bombardment by salespeople aspect, but you do tend to get mobbed less when you get there by private car instead of by bus. The traffic circle scene is perfect. The second time I spent a summer term in Egypt my apartment was on the eighth story above Suez Canal St. and the Alexandria-Cairo Desert Rd and we used to watch traffic from our balcony. The fender-benders and advices--that's true.The mall also felt right.
I wanted the girls to spend a bit more time getting to know Egypt before jumping into the revolution, and a bit more time putting their lives back together when they got back, but I appreciate the book for its ability to bring readers into an important contemporary crisis, and I suspect that it will cause most of them to want to learn more about the continuing turmoil. The movement in Egypt is a youth movement, and our young people would do well to start engaging with it. If a bit of instalove gets them to read the latest on Gen. Sisi, I'll take it.
November 16, 2014
It was her first party in over a decade; it was a high price to pay for Mariam as she is whisked off to jail before her night was over. Disappointment, shame and trust were lost in those short moments, something that her parents valued greatly. Shipping Mariam off to Egypt to spend time with her Sittu (grandma) was their only solution. The horror stories she heard from her father about the iron-fist that Sittu cast was bad enough but then to drag along her best friend Deanna, another party guest, who also needed to be “straightened around,” seemed unreasonable. This punishment seemed rather extreme to me but I am not from their country nor do I know their culture and it was her first offense. When Mar learned that Deana was going, I thought she would be elated, perhaps thinking about ways they could have fun together in another country but Mar was more concerned about the injustice this punishment was for her friend. This said a lot about the character Mar and her relationship with Deanna. I enjoyed the girl’s relationship as they find their way through Egypt and spent their days with Sittu. They are opposites but the true bond of friendship unites them when they needed it. Landing in Egypt, Deanna is pumped about this journey, she acts as if they are on vacation, on a sight-seeing trip whereas Mar is all doom-and-gloom. Deanna has embraced the culture, reading and learning about their destination, the opposite holds true of Mar. Sittu is not what the girls expected, the image in my mind before the flight and after they landed was totally different. Time changes people and even now, the world is changing and Sittu is embracing the change. Sittu wants the girls to experience Egypt but there’s a risk involved if they get too close. The girls are exposed to Egypt, more so than any of the guidebooks can tell them. I, myself, was soaking up the words and the details, thrilled that I can learn in this environment while reading a wonderful story. 4.5 stars
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2014
3.5 Stars
Rebels by Accident was a pleasant surprise. It wasn't what I was expecting, but I ended up being perfectly happy that it turned out to be something different. I loved that the main character, Mariam, was an Egyptian-American. I loved the pieces of culture throughout the book and the sweet endearments and sayings from Sittu (her grandmother). I also loved the friendship and camaraderie between Mariam, Deanna (her best friend who comes with her to Egypt) and the other characters they befriend.
I do have to mention that there were parts where I was upset and frustrated with the characters, specifically Deanna and a few times Mariam. Of course they're teenagers and so some things they didn't think through or were naive about. Some of it was that they both grew up in the US and didn't realize how unsafe Egypt was at the time they were there. What I did like was how the author let these two girls learn from their experiences and how Sittu weighed in with her "advices." I also liked how Sittu and the girls talked about first love and how sweet and just immediate that was for them.
Overall, 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. It was also a story about these girls finding out who they are and can become. I'm definitely curious to see what Dunn writes next.
Content: Some swearing and violence, but fairly clean.
Source: I would like to thank Sourcebooks Fire for my complimentary copy received through NetGalley, which did not affect my review in any way.
Rebels by Accident was a pleasant surprise. It wasn't what I was expecting, but I ended up being perfectly happy that it turned out to be something different. I loved that the main character, Mariam, was an Egyptian-American. I loved the pieces of culture throughout the book and the sweet endearments and sayings from Sittu (her grandmother). I also loved the friendship and camaraderie between Mariam, Deanna (her best friend who comes with her to Egypt) and the other characters they befriend.
I do have to mention that there were parts where I was upset and frustrated with the characters, specifically Deanna and a few times Mariam. Of course they're teenagers and so some things they didn't think through or were naive about. Some of it was that they both grew up in the US and didn't realize how unsafe Egypt was at the time they were there. What I did like was how the author let these two girls learn from their experiences and how Sittu weighed in with her "advices." I also liked how Sittu and the girls talked about first love and how sweet and just immediate that was for them.
Overall, 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. It was also a story about these girls finding out who they are and can become. I'm definitely curious to see what Dunn writes next.
Content: Some swearing and violence, but fairly clean.
Source: I would like to thank Sourcebooks Fire for my complimentary copy received through NetGalley, which did not affect my review in any way.
January 31, 2017
Miriam is struggling to fit in. She's the only Egyptian American at her school, which makes her a target for bullies. Deanna, Miriam's best friend, is also subject to teasing. She has a physical deformity that has left her unable to smile. But Deanna is far more capable of defending herself. More than anything, Miriam wants to have Deanna's strength or at least just be "normal." She and Deanna decide to sneak into a party, which at first seems to be the perfect escape from Miriam's overprotective parents. But when drugs and alcohol are discovered by the police at the party, it seems to have the opposite effect. Both Miriam and Deanna are sent to live with Miriam's strict grandmother in Egypt. It soon becomes clear that Miriam's grandmother and her country are nothing they could have expected.
Something I really liked about this book was that I found it really interesting because I am also from Egypt. I couldn't stop reading this book it was such a page turner. Once they came up with the idea about going to that party I knew this book was going to be great. Once she and Deanna got caught I knew this book was just going to be amazing.
The one thing I didn't like about the book was that Mariam was a target for bullies. I am from Egypt and I fit in normally. Other than that this book was great. The book wouldn't really be complete if she didn't start off by getting bullied so it doesn't bother me too much that she was.
Something I really liked about this book was that I found it really interesting because I am also from Egypt. I couldn't stop reading this book it was such a page turner. Once they came up with the idea about going to that party I knew this book was going to be great. Once she and Deanna got caught I knew this book was just going to be amazing.
The one thing I didn't like about the book was that Mariam was a target for bullies. I am from Egypt and I fit in normally. Other than that this book was great. The book wouldn't really be complete if she didn't start off by getting bullied so it doesn't bother me too much that she was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2015
This book was fun and fast-paced and I kept wanting to come home and read more of it- and when I was finished, I wanted to read a sequel.
I especially enjoyed the part when Mariam realized her Sittu had known all along that she hadn't gone up to the top of the pyramid. It was like she was finally blinking, and that by the end of the book her eyes were totally open and she was a lot less naive.
Just a few things I didn't really like/were slightly irritating:
I have never heard someone call someone else a nimrod before except for once when someone was making a pun, and once in a book (not this one). So it just seemed a little strange that Deanna was using that word when her vocabulary is fairly typical for a teenage girl and I have never heard a teenage girl say that.
Also, even though Mariam was very naive at the beginning of the book and Deanna much less so (though still they were both pretty naive), it was Deanna who went up and befriended a complete stranger, ie. Ahmed.
I also found the part when Hassan was speaking in the third person about what might happen to other people very intriguing, especially when I suddenly realized he was talking about himself.
And, most excitingly, I learned tons of Arabic!
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading exciting books and is interested in learning while reading too.
I especially enjoyed the part when Mariam realized her Sittu had known all along that she hadn't gone up to the top of the pyramid. It was like she was finally blinking, and that by the end of the book her eyes were totally open and she was a lot less naive.
Just a few things I didn't really like/were slightly irritating:
I have never heard someone call someone else a nimrod before except for once when someone was making a pun, and once in a book (not this one). So it just seemed a little strange that Deanna was using that word when her vocabulary is fairly typical for a teenage girl and I have never heard a teenage girl say that.
Also, even though Mariam was very naive at the beginning of the book and Deanna much less so (though still they were both pretty naive), it was Deanna who went up and befriended a complete stranger, ie. Ahmed.
I also found the part when Hassan was speaking in the third person about what might happen to other people very intriguing, especially when I suddenly realized he was talking about himself.
And, most excitingly, I learned tons of Arabic!
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading exciting books and is interested in learning while reading too.
October 25, 2015
2.5 stars
The concept sounded really cool. I honestly don't read a lot of contemporary fiction, unless they look like they'll prompt some kind of "soul searching" ( Silent Alarm) or really popular ( The Fault in Our Stars). I really expected a lot more out of this book, thinking I'd at least give it a 4 star rating. The concept is a brilliant thing that could have easily gotten a 4 1/2 out of me. So was the main character, sassy, slightly insecure Mariam.
The problem I had was the fact we're always TOLD what the Mubarak regime does, not SHOWN. Also, the book had too short of a time frame to give a real picture of Egypt. The true conditions in Egypt are never really experienced by Mariam and Deanna, the main characters. Also, the Egyptian characters are kind of flat. Sittu is really cool... but that's it. The guys are hot. That's it. The only character who had depth was that old guy... what was his name? I forgot.
Other than that, this is a fairly sweethearted coming of age story.
The concept sounded really cool. I honestly don't read a lot of contemporary fiction, unless they look like they'll prompt some kind of "soul searching" ( Silent Alarm) or really popular ( The Fault in Our Stars). I really expected a lot more out of this book, thinking I'd at least give it a 4 star rating. The concept is a brilliant thing that could have easily gotten a 4 1/2 out of me. So was the main character, sassy, slightly insecure Mariam.
The problem I had was the fact we're always TOLD what the Mubarak regime does, not SHOWN. Also, the book had too short of a time frame to give a real picture of Egypt. The true conditions in Egypt are never really experienced by Mariam and Deanna, the main characters. Also, the Egyptian characters are kind of flat. Sittu is really cool... but that's it. The guys are hot. That's it. The only character who had depth was that old guy... what was his name? I forgot.
Other than that, this is a fairly sweethearted coming of age story.
May 4, 2015
This was incredibly enjoyable and such a great change of scenery from the normal YA coming of age novels. This is still a novel along the same lines as Princess Diaries or The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - great fun reads with depth and many lessons to be learned but still a sense of general fluffiness - but it is likely to encourage young readers to think a little deeper about what they see on the news, especially with so many movements involving young adults and social media.
At first, I really wished it had a less silly name and cover but at the same time it does capture that general fluffiness that I'm talking about. If it were a serious looking cover, I feel like that would betray the central fact that this is about a young girl realizing adults aren't the enemy and that boys will think she's pretty even if she doesn't.
At first, I really wished it had a less silly name and cover but at the same time it does capture that general fluffiness that I'm talking about. If it were a serious looking cover, I feel like that would betray the central fact that this is about a young girl realizing adults aren't the enemy and that boys will think she's pretty even if she doesn't.
May 11, 2015
as i recall from elementary school report cards, this book deserved an 'E for Effort'. it's heart was in the right place, but the writing was just kinda eh. i'm biased though because i just read a REALLY GOOD book and now, i'm reading another one so the cards (the books) were stacked against this one.
i liked the characters but wished they had been better developed. same with the story... it was a bit too predictable. friend goes missing during the revolution, where is she? where is she? poof! she's back. EXACT same with new love interest. therefore, when the g'ma died, i WAS surprised and i did appreciate how that storyline was handled.
i liked the characters but wished they had been better developed. same with the story... it was a bit too predictable. friend goes missing during the revolution, where is she? where is she? poof! she's back. EXACT same with new love interest. therefore, when the g'ma died, i WAS surprised and i did appreciate how that storyline was handled.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2015
I enjoyed this mature YA contemporary novel set in Cairo, Egypt against the backdrop of the turmoil of a country during a revolution. I really like how skillful Patricia was in weaving a myriad of concepts, emotions, culture, and political and social commentary into the storyline of the lives of two young women. These two young women's characters were every enriching and insightful. I loved the fact that in the end these young women grow and mature from their experience in Egypt. The reader will learn and discover a lot about Egypt culture and customs along the way and at the conclusion find endearing and beautiful lessons. Note: This is not a "fluffy" YA read.
August 14, 2015
Rebels by Accident is a great book for preteens, adults and anyone in between. My daughter Molly and I read Rebels together. I told her we would read one chapter a night together, but she always made me read more. We would stay up later than planned because neither one of us wanted to close the book. Rebels by Accident is a refreshing book to give your pre-teen or teen to read because it gives them a glimpse into real world events with likeable characters and a riveting plot. I am looking forward to reading more from Patricia Dunn in the future!
August 5, 2012
How I wish there were more books for teens like this! Well-written, engaging, realistic and an up-to-the-day accurate in the portrayal of Egypt from the perspective of an American Muslim author. Perfect for a gift for a teen girl or for a reading list for a language-arts or world events/history class or summer reading list for schools and libraries. Quality story-telling at its best! I'm looking for more great work from Patricia Dunn in the future.
January 23, 2015
Being a huge fan of young adult fiction, I picked this up on a whim. I had no idea what it was about. I ended up learning a lot about Egypt -- probably more than I have ever known. It was such an easy way to learn about such large issues, in the context of rebellious teenagers. I thought the Grandma was such a strong character and continued to surprise me to the end. Would definitely recommend!
August 14, 2015
Rebels by Accident is a page turner. I've read three times and it gets better each time. Patricia Dunn is an inspiring writer and person. I met her a book signing and she has a cool personality. She gets in the mind of teenagers and writes like she is one. I'm so glad I read this book and you should too!
August 30, 2016
I had to read this book for school, and I didn't expect to like it as much as I did. The writing was beautiful I loved the character development with Mariam, Deanna sometimes pissed me off but all in all I loved the message of the story and I liked how the romantic relationships weren't the main part of the story. Would definitely recommend that you read it!!!
January 23, 2018
Loved this book. Brilliantly captures today's Egypt with all its political and cultural complexities as we travel with this young American protagonist and her friend. I was riveted from page 1. The relationship with the grandmother was very moving. Powerful and important read, particularly during this time.
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