Alison Bell is the author of the Zibby Payne series (Lobster Press), for children ages 7 to 11. It's about a spunky, soccer-playing tomboy who gets Very Good Ideas ... but takes them a little too far. The third and fourth books in the series, "Zibby Payne & the Party Problem" and "Zibby Payne & the Trio Trouble," are to be published in April 2008. (You can read more about Alison on our April 2008 Mom of the Month page.)In "Zibby Payne & the Party Problem," when Zibby's "sometimes friends" Amber and Savannah start handing out special party privileges to a select few, Zibby decides to throw a Totally Fair and Equal Party for everyone, even the boys. In this excerpt, a conversation with the reigning Party Queen, Amber, Zibby realizes that putting on a party may be more complicated than she thought.
Zibby was in the middle of waving off Davis when
Amber appeared at Zibby's side. "If you aren't just Little
Miss Party Popular," Amber said in a not-very-nice tone
of voice.
"What?" asked Zibby, caught off guard by Amber's comment.
"Oh, nothing," snapped Amber. "Now, listen, Zibby," she continued, "you may have had a problem with my last party, but you have to admit, I throw really good ones."
"Yes," said Zibby, wondering why Amber was talking about her own parties and where the conversation was headed.
"In fact, I'm something of a party expert," Amber continued. "And I feel I have to let you know that I'm a teensy bit worried about your party."
"Really?" asked Zibby, surprised. "I thought you were happy that I was including the boys."
"Oh, the boys." Amber shrugged. "That's cool. But what I'm wondering is, what are we going to do at your party. I mean, it's only a little over a week away. What activities do you have planned? What will the invitations look like? Have you figured anything out yet?"
Zibby felt her happy bubble begin to burst. The truth was, she hadn't figured out any of those things. She'd been so caught up inviting people, she hadn't gotten around to even thinking about the actual party.
"No, but I'm working on it," said Zibby. "And whatever I come up with, it will be really amazing!"
Amber moved in a step closer toward Zibby. "I hope so, Zibby. I can't wait to hear your plans and see just how great this party of yours really is going to be. And I really want to see if it can possibly ever be as good as one of mine. Good luck!" she practically spat out the words as she turned around and quickly walked away.
"What's her problem?" Zibby asked herself. And why was Amber comparing her parties to Zibby's? It seemed almost as if she was trying to turn parties into a contest. Zibby knew all about competition out on the soccer field, but she didn't know that girls could feel competitive about parties. But from the way Amber was talking, it sure seemed like Amber did.
Parties aren't competitions, Zibby thought. Or -- and then she had a Big Revelation -- maybe they are. Maybe throwing parties was Amber's sport, just like playing soccer was Zibby's. And just as Zibby didn't like to lose at soccer, Amber didn't want to lose at the party game.
Suddenly Zibby got a feeling she usually only felt on the soccer field just before she was about to clobber an opponent. Because if Amber wanted a competition, she was more than happy to give her one!
(Reprinted with permission from Lobster Press.)
For more about Alison and her books, including the first two Zibby books, "Zibby Payne & the Wonderful, Terrible Tomboy Experiment" and "Zibby Payne & the Drama Trauma," please see Alison's Web site: AlisonBellauthor.com.
