Zibby Payne and the Drama Trauma
Written By: Alison Bell
Recommended for ages: 7-10
Lobster Press

Zibby Payne is a tomboy who loves soccer and despises makeup. Being in the sixth grade she is exposed to both but if she wants to play soccer it means she has to play with the boys. This has never been a problem in the past however things change when auditions for the school play start. Zibby has always stuck to things she knows well, so trying out for the play is a new ground for Zibby. When she discovers that the female lead of the play is a star soccer player, she decides to go for it. Her competition is stiff. Amber is a real girly-girl who because of her voice lessons is positive she will land the starring role of the production. Through a myriad of incidents, Zibby ends up with the part, infuriating Amber. It is not until Zibby reads through the entire script that she realizes she has to kiss a boy in the final scene of the play! And it is not just a boy but it is Matthew, her soccer buddy. Zibby’s two worlds begin to collide. Can she go through with the kiss or will she disappoint the entire cast and refuse to play the part?

This short novel is the second in the new Zibby Payne series. It is a welcome change to the abundant fairy and mermaid books that seem to be filling our shelves. Girls of Zibby’s age and interests will enjoy this story and no doubt relate to her quandaries.

Alison Bell has written 10 non-fiction books. Her Zibby Payne series is her first foray into children’s fiction.