Defying Expectations: Arabic Young Adult Literature

April 2020

This month’s feature brings together excerpts from three Arabic young adult novels in which young women defy expectations set by their families, society—and even themselves.

Time-Travelers, Fisherwomen, and Sleuths: Arabic Young Adult Literature

By Elisabeth Jaquette

While Arabic publishing has historically focused on literature for adults and young children, recent years have seen an increasing number of titles aimed at a young adult readership.

Mossy rocks at the edge of the coastline in Gaza

Photo by Emad El Byed on Unsplash

Against the Tide

By Taghreed Najjar

“Who ever heard of a fisherwoman in Gaza, much less a young girl?”

Translated from Arabic by Elisabeth Jaquette

Oil panting of two women drinking coffee at home

"Two Women Drinking Coffee, c. 1893" by Edouard Vuillard (artist) French, 1868 - 1940 in the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Collection in the National Gallery of Art

Thunderbird

By Sonia Nimr

“It seems that Noor set fire to another student’s backpack.”

Translated from Arabic by M. Lynx Qualey

Black Saturday

By Djamila Morani

“Soothsayers tell the truth even when they’re lying.”

Translated from Arabic by Sawad Hussain