Zibby Payne & the Wonderful,
Terrible Tomboy Experiment
by Alison Bell

    ZIBBY PAYNE & THE WONDERFUL, TERRIBLE TOMBOY EXPERIMENT by Alison Bell
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 6+
    Release Date:  10/25/06
    Publisher:  Lobster Press
    Reviewed by:  Allison Fraclose
    Rating:  5 Stars


    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.