A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland Indiana (Today Show Book Club #3)

"A Girl Named Zippy" has been called a love letter to a town - and the story of a happy childhood.

These might not be the first thoughts that come to every reader's mind.

Zippy's town is small and backwards, with a postmaster who won't allow people to subscribe to magazines because he thinks they should have to buy them at the drugstore in front of everyone.

As for her happy childhood, Zippy's tales are fraught with physical peril, angry and abused domestic animals, and terrifying adults, including mean teachers and the old lady across the street who wishes Zippy were dead.

On the other hand, Zippy has parents who love her and appreciate her keen intelligence and insight. She has dear friends. She has routines and comforts. She has a near-perfect bicycle.

What does seem to come to the minds of many readers is that "A Girl Named Zippy" is heart-warming, touching, deep, and lovely. Whether that's because it is a love letter about a happy childhood, or a tale told by a sensitive child who feels things deeply and sees the peccadilloes of her town and its people, isn't important. It's not what is said about this autobiography that matters, it's what it contains.

"A Girl Named Zippy" is wonderful, no matter your perspective.

I confess that I read this book in a few shourt hours. Fascinating. The author has captured her voice as a child admirably. The first half of the book is suprising clever and I found myself laughing outloud often, but by the end, the stories began to feel a little too over the top, like the author was trying too hard to be sensational... instead of just being her clever like she was in the beginning. Still, an awesome book.

I absolutely loved this story. I grew up in a small town and could totally relate to Zippy and her friends and family. I knew people just like them and believed that she portayed them extremely well. Hats off to Haven Kimmel. I just finished the sequel if you will, and it is just as good if not better!

I am the type of person that I think alot about being a child and all of the funny things and people we meet in our lives. This was a wonderful book and I truly enjoyed it. It made me laugh. It reminded me of when I was a kid. Buy this book if you need to have a little chuckle because there are some that actually made me laugh so hard....Buy it!!!

Zippy was a fun, fast, and goofy read! It reminded me of so many childhood memories where what seems so important at the time, while you are in it, upon reflection years later, is either glaringly hilarious or inexplicably bizarre. Haven Kimmel is such a neat writer that you feel it all without noticing the writing at all!