Liberty Lane and the One-Girl Rebelution

By Shaylene King

A modern retelling of the book of Esther creatively reimagined for a younger generation.

“Get ready to laugh and cheer! Liberty Lane and the One-Girl Rebelution is an entertaining tale about a girl caught up in an epic singing competition. Full of disastrous capers, hidden identities, and mischievous plots, Liberty’s plucky spirit and determination will keep readers madly flipping the pages! Delightful”

Jennifer Lynn Alvarez, author of THE GUARDIAN HERD and RIDERS OF THE REALM book series.

The confident but often stubborn spitfire, Liberty Lane O’Shea strongly stands for what she believes in; from standing on tables at school to boycott the high calorie foods they are serving, to standing in the pouring rain outside Target to protest their lack of chic rain attire. When the reigning queen of the Royal Crown competition is fired, the “King” of Sir Frederick Preparatory School and his talent scout search for the next big star. Liberty Lane is discovered and asked to compete. With nothing to lose and everything to gain, she agrees to vie for the crown.

Everything Liberty Lane stands for will be tested when she encounters a malicious contestant intent to secure himself the crown by destroying his competition which just happens to include Liberty Lane herself!

Reality TV at its best, Liberty Lane and the One-Girl Rebelution is chalked full of mischief, misfortune, capers, and clowning. Grab your imaginary seat in the front row of the studio audience and watch the escapades of Liberty Lane unfold live!

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9781664211957

Shaylene King

Shaylene King is an educator and anti-bully activist. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from California Baptist University in Riverside, California. Shaylene is the founder of The Mean Girl Extinction Project, a nonprofit created with her teen daughter to confront the growing “mean girl” phenomenon. She is passionate about helping girls navigate girl world and build healthy relationships in their social circles. Shaylene empowers girls to live with profound purpose when they discover how to stand against meanness and cultivate kindness. She leads assemblies and workshops and speaks at girl events, camps, clubs, and retreats to both mainstream and faith-based organizations. She is an independent contractor for the nonprofit Community Matters, training the nation’s leading student-led bully prevention program, Safe School Ambassadors. She speaks to thousands of students each year across the country empowering and equipping them with tools needed to develop self-confidence and practice and promote positive communication with their peers. Shaylene lives with her husband in Middle Tennessee, sailing the uncharted waters of empty nesting. She enjoys any time she gets to spend with her son Ethan and daughter Jordan who are off exploring the world and living the life God created them for. You can find Shaylene King at Shayleneking.com, The Mean Girl Extinction Project, and her social media platforms.

Book preview

Copyright © 2021 Shaylene King.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by

any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying,

recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system

without the written permission of the author except in the case of

brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents,

organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products

of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

844-714-3454

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or

links contained in this book may have changed since publication and

may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those

of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher,

and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are

models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation,

copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission

of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1196-4 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1197-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-1195-7 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020922074

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/30/2020

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

One

The Golden Ticket

Two

Mystery Meat, Music, and Man-Boys

Three

The Born Identity

Four

Attack of the Killer Cone Head!

Five

There’s a Bug in the Water!

Six

Houston, We Have Liftoff.

Seven

Lights! Camera! Red Carpet!

Eight

Poetic Justice

Nine

To Sing or Not to Sing; That Is the Question

Ten

Say Cheese!

Eleven

A Haunting We Will Go

Twelve

Mission Oh Possible

Thirteen

Finale Fiasco

Epilogue

Discussion Questions

A Note from the Author

About the Author

I WISH this book had been around when I was growing up. King’s words weave humor, truth and authentic bravery into Liberty Lane and the One Girl Rebelution. This refresh-ing message invites every reader toward self-compassion, friendship, and staying true to oneself, while rooted in the foundational value of honesty. Whether enjoyed alone, in a book club, or small study, this transcendent call to trust and truth-tell echoes to young and seasoned readers who are looking for a fresh perspective in today’s go-with-the-flow culture.

–Bekah Jane Pogue

Founder of Pasture Experience, author of Choosing REAL, Choosing REAL Devotional, and Praying Your Way toward Forgiveness, and mom to two energetic boys.

There is mystery and a little suspense throughout this entertaining story that will keep young adult readers engrossed until the book’s end. It also has a message of positivity and hope that will resonate with people of all ages.

–Entrada Publishing

To Ethan and Jordan; my Liberty and Justice—Continue to stand firm in your faith, speak the truth, hold strong to your convictions, and be a voice for those who don’t feel they have one.

Acknowledgments

I have to start by thanking my husband, Mike, who, when I was in the throes of struggling through a brain disease, and feeling useless, said to me, You may not be able to do much physically, but your fingers still work. He handed me my laptop and said, You can write that book you said you’ve always wanted to write. And so I did! You are my biggest fan, supporting and encouraging my every dream. Thank you for always believing in me and pushing me to speak to my mountains, face my fears, and move anyway. But above all you remind me that I serve an audience of one; Jesus. You are my pillar of strength on Christ, the solid rock where we stand. I love you.

Ethan and Jordan, the greatest gifts God has ever blessed me with. Thank you for lovingly supporting me, even suffering through rough draft chapters you were forced to listen to in the car when we would drive long distances. I love you to infinity and beyond.

Thank you to my mom. You always said God had a special plan for me. Perhaps this is a little part of that plan. Thank you for pushing me to dream big dreams.

I’m immensely grateful to the many family and friends who encouraged, read chapters, held me accountable, gave constructive feedback, and prayed. Too many to name and risk leaving someone out, you know who you are!

Thank you to Georgette Gallo and my editors at WestBow Press. This book is leaps and bounds better than what I was already proud of; thank you!

Thank you to Jennifer Alvarez for championing my manuscript, encouraging me to continue to seek representation, and getting me in front of your agent. As your books thrived, I have felt you cheering me on across the finish line, and it has motivated me to keep moving forward.

To Sarah Bailey and my sweet Beta readers, the hugest gratitude for all your feedback, answering the discussion questions at the back of the book, and creating fun questions to ask the main characters.

Bruce Glidewell, illustrator extraordinaire; Your vision far exceeded what I envisioned. Thank you for bringing my characters to life!

Strong, kind, confident young girls will grow to be strong, kind, confident women. I have been blessed to surround myself with such women over the years. Some are old friends, some new, some for just a season and those in my future I have yet to meet. Just a few of these women: Shari Jones, Christi Webb, Jamie Grainger, Maya Baker, Rhonda Ducharme, Noe Au-Yeung, Mimi Howard, Bobbi Dick, Liane Green, Alison Young, Danine Frankovich, Lexi Straube, Liz Jung, Kitty Jones, Bethany Waggoner, Cathy Porter, WCA teachers, Cindy Hollis Vaithianathan, Kryste Schroeder Hanes, Denise Nunley, Rhonda Staton, Michelle Vandecar, Jennifer Alvarez, Shellie Harrison, and my Tennessee Tribe: Stacy Phillips, Julie Jones, Bekah Pogue, Danielle Dahlke, Carol Sartain, and Haley McKnatt.

This book was a labor of love. It was fun to creatively reimagine what an Esther story might look like today. More important, though, I wanted to create a strong, confident young girl, one who was perfectly imperfect, able to think for herself and stand for what she believed in—a one-girl "rebel" ution. My hope is that girls might connect with Liberty Lane and feel they too can be comfortable in their own skin and stand by their convictions. When they make a mistake or fumble, they can right their wrong, hold their head high and suck it up, and press on. Hard things are never easy to do, but they will always be the right thing to do.

"Who knows if you have not become

queen for such a time as this?"

—Esther 4:14 (NLV)

One

THE GOLDEN TICKET

So here’s a riddle for you. What’s as annoying as an itchy sunburn and as stinky as a dirty sock? That would be my older brother.

Lib, Justice shouted, as his skateboard screeched to a halt in front of me. "You’re not gonna believe this; I was just at the mall, and—"

You’re right, I interrupted, "I don’t believe it, you inside a mall."

Ha ha, very funny. He removed his baseball cap and wiped the sweat dripping from the blond waves now stuck to his forehead. Well, I guess I won’t give you this! He flashed a gold flyer in my face.

What is it? Let me see! I reached to grab it, but he yanked it away.

You’ll have to catch me first! Justice teased, and off he ran. I dashed after him into the house, through the living room, and into the kitchen, where our chase continued around the kitchen table. After a stare-down at the head of the table, I waited for Justice to make the slightest move. When he did, I proceeded to make my move by pulling one of the chairs out to stop him. Ta-da! Gold flyer.

I can’t believe this, I said, skimming the flyer. "Sir Frederick Prep is holding auditions for the Royal Crown singing competition! That’s only an hour away from us. Auditions are this weekend in San Francisco!

Yeah, I know. I’m the one who gave you the flyer, remember? Justice huffed, still trying to catch his breath.

"Gave me the flyer? Oh please, you mean you are the one who lost the battle for the flyer."

Yeah, whatever, he said with a sigh. You owe me one.

Oh, thank you! I shrieked.

I pushed the chair back and released my prisoner. I’ll do the dishes for you tonight, Justy! I shouted over my shoulder, taking the stairs three at a time.

I dialed my cousin Lincoln’s number trembling with excitement.

Hey Lib, what’s up, he said.

"Did you hear about the Royal Crown singing competition? Your school has opened up the auditions again, did you know that?" I leapt on my bed and started to bounce up and down.

Actually I—

"I wonder what happened to Fiona. She was just crowned queen of the singing competition not too long ago. Do you think she quit? Or was she fired? Here, I’ll read you the flyer Justice brought home from the mall."

Wait, what? Justice went to the mall?

Yeah, yeah, he graced the mall with his presence today. I began to pace back and forth from my pillow to the foot of the bed.

Whoa, chillax, I’m only messing with you.

"Sorry, Linc, I’m just excited, and you will be, too, if you’ll let me read the flyer!"

I cleared my throat and then read the flyer as if I were some prime-time celebrity radio host:

The reign of Queen Fiona is through.

The winner of the Royal Crown could be YOU!

Open auditions will be held this weekend in San Francisco.

Saturday, June 11, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Pier 39.

Winner will receive a full scholarship to Sir Frederick Prep and an opportunity to meet with record labels.

"Can you believe it? Anyone can audition! Why didn’t you tell me?" I flopped backward, bouncing as I sprawled flat on my bed, one hand behind my head.

A loud grunt came through the phone. "I was trying to tell you, but as usual, you didn’t let me get One. Word. In. And for the record— just because I go to school there doesn’t mean I know everything they do. You’re gonna audition, right?"

I sat up on my bed. "Um, no. Weeee are gonna audition and shake things up!"

Oh, we’ll shake things up, all right, Lincoln said, sounding less than thrilled.

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Saturday morning, audition day, I stood in front of my mirror, adding the final touches to my fiery locks of red before leaving for San Francisco—and seriously, what could possibly be better than glitter? It’s my strongest opinion glitter should be considered an essential accessory. Calliope, best friend and glitter sprinkler extraordinaire, was in the mirror behind me perfecting her art. Our hair … as different as our personalities. Mine is red and unruly, with a mind of its own. Calliope’s hair is brown and straight, with not a hair out of place—like the perfectionist that she is. Neat and tidy, she wore denim shorts, and her gleaming white shoes matched her collared button-up shirt.

Last summer at the end of seventh grade, Calliope, Lincoln, and I started a band. We named our band Nevaeh. It’s heaven spelled backward.

The sound of chanting drew my attention away from my now-shimmering locks of red. I pulled the curtains back from my window to see where the noise was coming from. My mom and dad stood next to their Volvo, holding good luck signs and chanting, Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the best band of all? Nevaeh, Nevaeh, go-oooo, Nevaeh!

I smiled on the inside but rolled my eyes in their direction for dramatic effect.

Go-ooo, Liberty! my dad hollered.

Woohoo! my mom squealed before leaping into the air and executing a cheer jump.

"Did your mom just do a herkie?" Calliope asked.

I furrowed my brow, "Yep, it looks that way. And don’t encourage her to do it again when we get downstairs! You hungry?" I asked, trying to quickly change the subject.

Naw, I’m too nervous! My stomach’s doing more flips than an Olympic gymnast.

I handed my guitar and our sheet music to Calliope, shoved my feet into my Converse shoes, grabbed my sweatshirt, and headed to the kitchen to grab something to eat.

My mom walked in from outside and headed toward the sink to wash the evidence of colored marker from her hands. What are you looking for, Liberty? she asked.

Something to eat. I’m starving.

I can make you a turkey sandwich.

Mom, you know I’m vegan now. I don’t eat anything that once had a face.

Well, you can’t blame me for trying.

I was thinking, you know how my two favorite foods are peanut butter and dill pickles?

Yes …, she replied hesitantly.

"Well, since I