A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland, Indiana

Loved it! Loved it! Loved it!

I loved this book so much that I bought 4 more copies and sent them to my mother, my daughter, and my two best friends! As a woman who grew up in a small town in the Midwest in the 60s and 70s, this book really hit home! It is both hilarious and heartwarming. I absolutely love Zippy and her family, as flawed as they may be. I read it within a few days, and then purchased and started on Ms. Kimmel's next book. All I can say to her is, 'Keep 'em coming!'

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A 'normal' version of Running with Scissors

I am in love with Haven Kimmel (Zippy). I could not put this book down and found myself convulsing with laughter while reading it. I fell in love with each family member. This is a great read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A heartwarming story - Great read!

A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel is a book full of cute stories of a big eyed and curious girl who lives in the small town of Mooreland, Indiana in the 1970¿s. Nicknamed ¿Zippy¿ from her father for the way she ran around the house, she was a girl with big eyes and ears and an even bigger personality. In this memoir, you follow the life of Zippy from her family to friends to the many barnyard pets she finds so fascinating. These collective memories of a simple country girl create the heartwarming and touching tale of a young American girl as she finds herself.
The major themes and messages throughout the book are how family and friends are so important. The author describes this importance of friends and family throughout her memoir by showing how happy and helpful the people in her life were. Haven Kimmel describes the looks and smells of her family and friends in positive way. Her vivid memories and smells of her kitchen, barn and house give you the warm feeling that can only be given through the wonderful family and friends we are close to.
I am not usually a fan of nonfiction but A Girl Named Zippy was a quick and cute read that captivated the reader. The author was able to not just tell you the story of a small town in Indiana, but she was able to show it to you from the perspective of a curios girl growing up and all of her questions and observations that kept the reader involved. I really enjoyed the simplicity of the book and the heartwarming memories that created it. It really makes the reader appreciate the little memories that make up life.
This memoir contained many short stories, and some to me didn¿t have too much meaning in Zippy¿s life. I enjoyed majority of the memories but some of them seemed pointless and didn¿t give you any insight into the character¿s feelings. Occasionally, characters were introduced but not brought up again. The stories were touching but didn¿t have much action in them. I always thought there would be more of a plot but I never really found one.
This book shares a lot about the 1970¿s lifestyle and living in the country at this time. If readers are interested in this and heartwarming tales that let you connect with the author, they should definitely read this book. It is great for readers who like short stories and the simple things in life that we all remember. If a reader wants more action and a big scene with a fast paced storyline though, then this is definitely not the book for them.
As far as nonfiction goes, I also recommend Someday My Prince Will Come by Jerramy Fine. It¿s a great, true story of a girl who will do almost anything to pursue her dream of being a princess.

Keep Forever

I found this book by accident in the library several years ago and liked it so much I bought it and read it again. Then I sent it to my sister, who loved it so much she still keeps it on hand. I've since bought another copy and passed it on, and bought a copy for my Nook. I'm reading it for what must be the fifth time. This memoir is charming, funny, sweet, true, poignant, and moving. Each chapter is self-contained, so although it's extremely readable, it can be picked up anywhere. My book club loved it, too. It's rare to find a memoir so funny, true, tragic, triumphant, and generous. I've everything else Kimmel has wrtten because of Zippy, but only the "non-sequel" about her mother comes close to the beauty of Zippy.

READ THIS REVIEW!!!!!!!!!

This book is pure awesomeness!!!! My absolute favorite book...and that's saying alot because I read alot of books. Give this book a try. You won't regret it.
- CrazyDaisy

Memories!

This is a memoir about a girl who was born in 1965 and grew up in a small Indiana town. At first I was thinking I would have little interest in or find anything I would relate to in her story. I was wrong. Haven Kimmel did a great job of telling her story in a way that was interesting and funny. I found myself relating to many aspects of the story. Being about the same age as Zippy helped me relate to the era she grew up in, but the story is about more than being born in the 60's, growing up in a small town or being a girl, it's about being a kid and being a kid is something we can all relate to.

As I was reading "A Girl Named Zippy" I found myself having fond memories of my own childhood and moments spent with my parents. What more could one as for?

not funny

I bought this book because I was hoping for some mindless entertainment and laughter. More than half way through and not even a smile yet ; (

HYSTERICAL

I've read ZIPPY now in two book clubs I've been in and laughed harder each time I've read it. I've also read the sequel, SHE GOT UP OFF THE COUCH and thought it was just as funny. They are both the books I recommend when anyone asks for a book to read when they need something fun, lighthearted and humorous. There isn't anything horrible, sad, raunchy, scary or bad in these books. Just cute stories about a funny, quirky kid and a somewhat screwball family from the midwest in the 60's and 70's. You have to be a certain age to appreciate these books.

Always makes me laugh

I have read the printed version of this book several times and it never fails to make me laugh at loud every time. Whenever I am feeling down, I can pick up this book and quickly be put into a better mood.

A Girl Named Zippy

As an "odd" child that also grew up in small-town Indiana, I knew I would be able to relate to the book " A Girl Named Zippy: Growing up small in Mooreland, Indiana." I understood what it was like to have siblings you did not understand, people in your town that are "famous" in a way only the locals would understand, and using landmarks to give directions, instead of actual streets. What surprised me with this book were the details and thoughts of Zippy's mind that I could not relate to. The mind of a child is so unique and creative, that it is absolutely hilarious to read some of the thoughts that other people had when growing up. This book also helped me remember that while children may lack age, they do not lack the wisdom to understand some of the darkest aspects of human nature. I am definitely sharing this book with my friends and family, and I know they will find something touching within it.

Funny, Fascinating, Fun

Zippy was a fast read. I enjoyed it. It was humorous.

A simple memoir of a happy childhood.

A Girl Named Zippy is a story of several childhood memories that the author, Haven Kimmel, tells in a dreamlike, loving, and cheerful way. The chapters are short, sweet, and to the point, as she shares her moments of sheer joy growing up in Mooreland, Indiana in the 1960's. The major themes of this book are believing in yourself, being comfortable with yourself, and courage. Many times throughout the book, Kimmel's memories include these themes as she was not always the smartest, prettiest, skinniest girl at school. I really liked how at each chapter heading there was a black and white picture of her actual childhood that had to do with what the following chapter was about. It set the mood of each chapter and gave the reader a glimpse of her flashback. I did not like how there wasn't one major theme or continuing problem/conflict. It made it hard to start a new chapter because the reader has nothing to look forward to. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an easy, cheerful read. You will finish with a smile on your face. It is rare that a book is full of just sheer joy and fun.

Appreciating and Making Peace with Childhood While Smiling

I loved this book. I have read it twice and listened to the author reading it. My bookclub read it and everyone liked it. The first time I read it I kept getting up to find my husband and read a passage to him. There are some very funny episodes about Kimmel's childhood. The book is also thought provoking about the different childhoods that people have and how it impacts their adult life. I recommend this book to everyone when I get in a conversation about books and reading.

A reviewer

After the rave reviews that this book has received I decided to read it.I have to say it was one of the worst books that I have ever read.It was boring at best and it took me forever to finish.There are so many amazing books out there that I am sorry I wasted my time on this one.It was not well written and was so monotonous!!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Why does everyone love it so much?

I had to read this book for english class, and at first I thought it was cute and interesting. After a while, however, the stories became more and more implausible and made the author seem extremely arrogant. Why does she think her life is so much more interesting than the lives of everyone else? I personally have several mildly interesting things that happened to me while growing up, but I don't feel the need to write a 275 page novel about them. What irritates me the most is the overwhelming positive response from the public. It seems to me that anyone who finds this book to be worth his or her time if an English grade isn't based on it must have had an exceedingly boring childhood.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Wonderfully amusing!

I truly enjoyed this brief look into the past. There were so many parallels for me in this book that I could put myself in her place. I was laughing out loud, especially during the pig rangle! Thanks to Kimmels wit and attention to detail, that paint distinct pictures of the happenings in her story, I was transported and didn't want to leave. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to take a step back in time to the days of innocent ignorance and the carefree spirit of being a kid.

Not that Great

This book has no story line. It is a lot of choppy childhood memories slapped together...add in some slight humor and a lot of dead animals and I have just summarized A Girl Named Zippy. For a book so short in length it sure did take me a long time to finish. I read 3 other books before finally being done with it. And that my friends is the Theory of Relativity in a nutshell...(how'd I get in this nutshell?)...when you read a truly great book and it takes 3 days it feels like 3 minutes but when you read a not so great book that takes 3 days it feels like 3 years.

Hey Read 'A Girl Named Zippy'!

¿A Girl Named Zippy,¿ was a hilarious memoir of a small town girl who explores and embraces the unordinary circumstances that help her discover her true self. She is the youngest of three children in the Jarvis family of Mooreland, Indiana. By the time she was three years old, she had a reputation of being headstrong, rebellious and unpredictable. Although Zippy¿s intentions are good, she is misunderstood and often labeled as the ¿trouble-maker.¿ Each adventure Zippy takes, the more she uncovers the untold details of her neighbors and realizes their influence on her, makes her childhood worthwhile to experience, even if they sometimes terrify her. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book because each chapter¿s topics were more unpredictable than the next. I thought the author was very open in details from her childhood that ranged from embarrassing and outrageous to genuine and heartfelt. She was very sarcastic in tone, but that made it all the more dramatic and memorable. I would definitely recommend this book to my peers who want to compare city life to the country life.

LIKE LIVING WITH ZIPPY!

i thought this was the most poignant and hilarous tale of growing up in indiana! this young womans take on her childhood was to refreshing-no abuse, no drugs, (maybe a dash of alcohol just to be social), no nothing except unconditional love and devotion. she's able to embody a young girls mind unlike anyone i've ever seen. it's a bit ramona the pest meets dorothy parker! just awesome. i hope to see more of this wonderful author.

Bad Hair Support Group

Haven Kimmel's book is a gem. Clever, witty, smart and laugh out loud funny. I could relate to Zippy's dilemmas: the unrequited love for an older brother, garish plaid coats, and hair that refuses to acquiesce to the simplest of styling. I haven't read a book as enjoyable...Kimmel is a delightful storyteller. I withheld one star since the book just wasn't long enough!