Rebels by Accident

Gr 9 Up—Miriam and her best friend Deanna land in jail following an ill-advised attempt to crash a party shortly before the police arrived. Egyptian American Miriam, always kept on a tight leash by her parents, is convinced her life will end following the party incident. Instead, she's handed a worse fate; her irate parents send her to Egypt to live with her notoriously strict Sittu (grandmother). Deanna's mother decides that she should go, too, so they are promptly shipped off together. Sittu, however, strikes little resemblance to the harsh woman described by Miriam's father and clearly has a few secrets up her sleeve, as they begin to suspect her online activities have something to do with the civil unrest bubbling up around them. Miriam and Deanna's trip coincides with the dawn of the Arab Spring on the eve of the protests in Tahrir Square. Much is packed into the story of their very short time in Egypt, from sightseeing, quarrels, and crushes to matchmaking, illness, and the protests. The narrative is at its most compelling during scenes set in Tahrir Square as the characters try to communicate amid the chaos., though these scenes comprise only a very small part of the story line. Miriam's growing self-awareness and reluctant connection to her Egyptian identity and Sittu are the primary focus. Though the plot feels contrived and often predictable, it is still an enjoyable, fast-paced read. A sweet coming-of-age tale that sheds light on the plight of anyone who feels like an outsider.—Jill Heritage Maza, Montclair Kimberley Academy, Montclair, NJ