Alison Bell

Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com

It's the start of sixth grade, and Zibby Payne is convinced that this is going to be the Absolute Best Year Ever. All of that changes on the first day when Amber and Camille show up wearing teeny little miniskirts and "Groovy Grapilicious" lip gloss. What's worse is that Zibby's Best Friend on the Entire Planet, Sarah, wants to sit on the benches with them at recess and talk about boy bands and "do" hair. Zibby can't stand the boredom, and decides to play soccer with the boys instead.

When Matthew begins referring to her as a "tomboy," Zibby gets one of her Very Good Ideas. Tomboys never have to sit at recess and wear lip gloss or skirts. She makes up her mind to become a real tomboy.

The tomboy life suits her just fine, but everyone else seems to have a problem with it. Her mom won't let her give away all her old girly clothes or burp the ABCs at the dinner table. Her brother, Anthony, stops letting her borrow all of his old shirts. And Sarah starts ignoring her and hanging out only with Amber and Camille. Finally, Zibby decides to start a "Tomboy Club" at school, but will any of the other girls make the grade?

This first book about a girl who has stubbornly decided to maintain her individuality begins a promising, light-hearted series.… (plus d'informations)

Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com

Zibby Payne's class has a new girl, Gertrude Long, and Zibby finds her absolutely fascinating. Gertrude's offbeat clothing style, her artistic tendencies, and even her old-lady name (which was inspired by a famous writer, she says)--everything about her just seems so exotic. Zibby's excited to have such a new, interesting friend.

But her old best friend, Sarah, doesn't like Gertrude at all. Sarah hates how Gertrude is always talking about how great things were back in her old town, and thinks that she was rude in insisting that none of the snacks at Sarah's house were healthy enough. Suddenly, Zibby finds herself stuck in the middle, with her two best friends fighting for her time. Zibby cooks up one scheme after another to try and get them to come together peacefully, but nothing seems to work. What can she do to keep both her friends...and bring out the truth in Gertrude?

The fourth of the Zibby Payne books brings us nothing less than the others as we follow our engaging heroine in her search for creative solutions to life's crazy problems.… (plus d'informations)

Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com

Zibby Payne has been invited to a lot of parties lately, and she's noticed a significant problem: someone always gets left out. Whether it's a coupon for a "Special Party Prize for Special Friends," or secret sleepovers because only so many girls are allowed, Zibby is tired of the inequality, and makes up her mind to throw The Most Inclusive Party on the Planet.

"A party for all, and all for the party!"

But even when Zibby thinks that she gets everyone on the invite list, she realizes that she's still not living up to her own declaration. Guilt persuades her to invite Vanessa and Franny, the two class losers. And what about the boys? Zibby can't leave out her soccer friends, can she? Suddenly, the guest list leaps from 24 to 34, and Vanessa and Franny are so intent on helping plan the party that they just might ruin everything. Will this party idea turn out to be Zibby's Worst Idea Ever?

Of the Zibby books, I found this one to be my favorite. Zibby's insistence on equality and inclusion for all is refreshing in an age where most social groups are anything but equal and inclusive. The problems she encounters by trying to break the unspoken social taboos of her circle are real, as are the solutions that arise. Very nicely done!… (plus d'informations)

Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com

Zibby Payne has decided that "drama is for sissies, not tomboys," so she has absolutely no interest in trying out for the school play, even though everyone else is. But when hotshot Amber comes to her for soccer tips, Zibby can't help but think that she would be a natural for the lead character, who scores the winning soccer goal at the end of the play.

Before she knows what she's getting in to, Zibby lands a part in the play...as "The Prissy Girl!" She even has to sing a solo about the color pink! Amber, of course, gets the main part, while Zibby's soccer buddy, Matthew, lands the role of lead male.

When an accident lands Amber in a cast and Zibby in the main role, Zibby and Matthew are horrified to learn that they must kiss at the play's closing. Mrs. Halpin, the director, will not back down, and Zibby must try everything to get out of this kiss, even if it means quitting the show.

I had a very hard time believing that a teacher would force two obviously uncomfortable students to exchange such an intimate gesture in public. Regardless, Zibby's second adventure left me with a few laughs, and a happy conclusion.… (plus d'informations)