Synopses & Reviews
Chapter One"It's totally not fair,"' Jennifer Dilber complained to Ashley Burke. "So what if my birthday happens to be a week before Christmas? I should still be able to have a party!"'"Absolutely!" Ashley agreed, nodding. "Having a party is just standard! Your parents will have to give in."Ashley gazed around the dress section at Bailey's, her favorite store. She, Jennifer, Akilah, and Nicole were all shopping at the mall. They had already been there a whole hour."And here's what I'm wearing to your party," Ashley exclaimed. She grabbed a short black dress off the rack. "Isn't it perfect?"The dress had a flared skirt and spaghetti straps. Ashley held it up for her friends to see.Jennifer eyed the dress. "Black's not your color," she said."How can it not be my color?" Ashley argued. "I wear black all the time!"Jennifer rolled her eyes. "It would look better on me," she grumbled. "Besides, my parents won't give in. There's "no way I'm having a party. So forget it. You don't have any reason to buy that dress."'Wow -- "you're in a bad mood," Nicole said."Well, excuse me,"' Jennifer snapped. "Wouldn't you be?"Nicole shrugged. "I guess.""I don't blame Jennifer," Ashley said, defending her friend. "I mean, it's horribly unfair that your parents won't let you have a birthday party! A fancy birthday party would be so...so...""Fabulous," Akilah said, finishing Ashley's sentence. "Can't you just picture it? We'd all get new dresses. The guys would have to wear something nice -- no T-shirts or jeans allowed.""Forget it," Jennifer said. "I begged my parents for an hour last night. All they said was, 'Not this year.' They wouldn't even think about it. I'm positive they won't change their minds." Shesighed."This is going to be the most miserable birthday ever.""Poor Jennifer, Ashley thought. She wished there was a way to cheer her friend up, but she knew it was hopeless. Unless...Unless she gave Jennifer a surprise party! Yes!She would give Jennifer the most fantastic surprise party in the whole world!it would be just like Akilah said. Fabulous. The house would be all decorated for Christmas, and everything would look beautiful. They'd have a Christmas tree and candles everywhere. And she'd invite the cutest guys from school.Plus, Ashley would have the perfect excuse to get a new dress. Bonus!"What are "you looking so happy about?" Jennifer asked.Whoops! Ashley wiped the smile off her face."I'm not happy," she said, covering up quickly. "I was just thinking about what we could do on your birthday...uh, instead of a party. Like maybe you could all come over and spend the night. We'll rent three videos. Order pizza. Stay up all night.""Maybe," Jennifer answered glumly."You see, everything will be great," Ashley told her. She glanced at her watch. "But we're late! We were supposed to meet Carrie at the fountain down at the lower level five minutes ago."Ashley led the way as the four girls zipped through the crowds to meet Carrie. When they neared the fountain, Ashley spotted her sitting on the bench.Carrie Moore was Ashley's baby-sitter. She was in one of the science classes Ashley's father, Kevin Burke, taught at the local college. He had hired Carrie to take care of Ashley and her twin sister Mary-Kate. Ever since the twins' mother died three years ago, they needed someone to be home with them after school. Carrie was the coolest baby-sitter they'd ever had. And the best thing was,last month she'd moved into the house! She always let Mary-Kate and Ashley hang out in the great apartment she fixed up for herself in their basement."Sorry we're late," Ashley said as she and her friends rushed up to meet Carrie."You're not late," Carrie answered. "You're right on time.""But you said to meet you at three -- and it's ten after," Akilah said. "So, aren't we ten minutes late?"'"Nope." Carrie shook her head. "Everyone knows how hard it is to stop shopping. When you're shopping, ten minutes late is right on time.So, do you think you're ready to go?"'"Not yet," Jennifer blurted out.Ashley glanced at her friend. Jennifer looked almost happy for the first time that day. She was staring at someone across the mall.Quickly Jennifer started fixing her long blond hair. She brushed it back so it draped smoothly on her shoulders."Who are you staring at?" Ashley asked."It's him," Jennifer whispered. "Parker Branford. The guy I told you about."Ashley followed Jennifer's stare.Yup. There he was. The gorgeous, ninth-grade boy Jennifer had a crush on. The one who didn't even know Jennifer was alive.How could he? Ashley thought. Ninth-grade boys never notice seventh-grade girls.Parker was wandering through the mall with another ninth grader, Trevor Domingo.He is so cute!"' Jennifer exclaimed."Trevor isn't bad, either," Nicole said softly."That's what I want for my birthday," Jennifer decided. "Parker. Just dress him up, and stick a bow on his head, and I don't care if I never have another party!""Parker Branford?" Akilah said. "Dream on.""Can we stay a little longer?" Jennifer begged Carrie. Her eyes were locked on Parker as he and Trevor made their way through the mall."I don't know."Carrie shrugged her shoulders. "I mean, are you thinking of following them?"Jennifer blushed and nodded."Because it looks to me like they're following those three high school girls," Carrie pointed out. "So this could get ugly. You don't want it to turn into a parade!"
Synopsis
Mary Kate and Ashley are back with a sisterly talk about boys--the perfect topic for preteen girls.
Synopsis
Ashley has a great idea! She's going to give a surprise party for her friend Jennifer. But Ashley gets a surprise, too -- when she finds out that Mary-Kate is giving another party for
her best friend Amanda on the same night!
But the biggest shocker of all is the one Dad has for both of the girls -- one that's going to change their lives big-time!
About the Author
Mary-Kate and Ashley have been celebrities since the day when, at the age of nine months, they joined the cast of the hit sitcom "Full House" in their shared role as Michelle. Each of Mary-Kate and Ashley's 14 years since has witnessed the outstanding expansion of their popularity...their fans have literally grown up alongside the twins! First in television and feature films, Mary-Kate and Ashley now appear in videos, music, interactive software, fashion dolls and accessories, and more. Their latest ventures include launching their official website and debuting a line of licensed fashion clothing, as well as their very own magazine in spring 2001.
Mary-Kate & Ashley books launched in 1990, and today the various book series continue to grow to reflect the ever-evolving lifestyles of kids, 'tweens, and teens. HarperEntertainment and Parachute Publishing release twenty-five books a year and have sold more than 30 million copies. Mary-Kate and Ashley's two book series Two of a Kind and The New Adventures of Mary Kate and Ashley are frequent USA Today bestsellers. And Mary-Kate & Ashleynovelties, such as Wall Calendars, a Mood Diary, a Be My Valentinecard-making kit, and the movie tie-in series, Starring-In continue to be hugely popular.
The growth of the Mary-Kate & Ashley brand has afforded Parachute and Harper the opportunity to work with companies such as Acclaim Entertainment, Mattel Inc., Warner Home Video, Kid Rhino, Lightyear Entertainment, Sail with the Stars on cross-promotional and cross-merchandise projects, including a very special, book-dedicated area on mary-kateandashley.com -- Now Read This!