A Girl Named Zippy

A Girl Named Zippy is a memoir by Haven Kimmel. This memoir describes the childhood of the author who grew up in the 1960s in the small town of Mooreland, Indiana. The title is taken from the author's nickname "Zippy" which her father gave her to describe her zipping around the house.

Characters
The Jarvis Family

Haven Kimmel "Zippy" Author and narrator of the book who is the youngest daughter in the Jarvis family.

Mr. Jarvis Zippy's gun-toting father who enjoys gambling and smoking cigarettes, and is a declared atheist whom Zippy follows everywhere.

Mrs. Jarvis Zippy's mother who enjoys reading on the couch with a bag of potato chips. She is a devoted Christian.

Mom Mary Zippy's Grandmother

Melinda Zippy's older sister who convinces Zippy that she is adopted by gypsies.

Daniel Zippy's only brother who is admired by Zippy and is a teenager when Zippy is born.

Zippy's Friends

Julie Zippy's best friend who lets Zippy do all her talking.

Dana  A friend of Zippy's who is neglected by her parents and moves away from Mooreland before Zippy has a chance to say goodbye.

Andy Zippy's friend and good-looking neighbor.

Characters from the town of Mooreland

Edythe An elderly neighbor who Zippy thinks is out to get her.

Petey Scroggs the neighborhood bully who holds Zippy's cat PeeDink captive in his basement.

Reed Ball Neighbor who wants to poison the Jarvis' dogs, Kai and Tiger.

Doc Owner of the grocery store who is married to Zippy's teacher whom she dislikes

Summary
A Girl Named Zippy is Kimmel's first memoir about her childhood growing up in the small Indiana town of Mooreland, IN near New Castle, Indiana. From her perspective as child, Kimmel describes her beginnings as a seriously ill, speechless, and bald baby who did not speak or grow hair until she was 2 years old. She earned her nickname from her father because she would "zip" around the house like a famous chimp on TV who could roller skate.

In this memoir, Kimmel introduces the characters of her own family: Her mother who spends all her time on the couch reading; her father who is an obsessive camping packer, proclaimed non-church goer, and gambler; her older sister, Melinda who tolerates Zippy and convinces Zippy that she is adopted from gypsies; and her handsome, quiet, intense, and much older brother, Daniel, whom Zippy idolizes. She tells of her run ins with neighbors such as Doc who owns the grocery store and is married to Zippy's teacher; Edythe, the elderly woman who seems to have it in for Zippy; and the next door neighbor who wants to poison the family dogs. Zippy's friends from school include Julia, who lets Zippy do the talking for her; Dana who likes to fight with Zippy until Dana suddenly disappears never to be seen again; Polly who fascinates Zippy because her brother is a murderer; and Sissy who wants to save her soul. Her various animal adventures include rescuing her cat, PeeDink, from the bully Peter next door, saving a baby pig from the runt pile, and raising her pet chicken, Speckles (later a meal). Kimmel describes her exploits and humor from her own life as a young girl with an active imagination living in the slow-paced and familiarity of a small town in the Midwest.

About the author
Kimmel was born in 1965 in New Castle, Indiana and grew up nearby Mooreland, Indiana. She composed poetry before writing the memoir of her childhood exploits. Kimmel graduated from Ball State University in Muncie with her degree in English and Creative Writing and studied with novelist, Lee Smith, at North Carolina State University. She attended the Earlham School of Religion in Richmond, Indiana. Kimmel currently lives in Durham, North Carolina.

Awards and recognition
Today Show Book Club Selection September 2002

New York Times Bestseller

Booksense 76

Previous titles of A Girl Named Zippy
 Qualities of Light

Growing Up Sparky in an Innocent World

Reviews
Booklist March 15, 2001 Mary Carroll p. 1351

Book Page April 2001 (Eliza R.L. McGraw)

Library Journal February 1, 2001 Pam Kingsbury p. 103

Publishers Weekly January 3, 2001 p. 60

Entertainment Weekly March 23, 2001 Lisa Levy p. 107