A Girl Named Zippy discussion thread

[SusanH]

Here is our discussion thread for A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel. Tell us how far you've read and what you think! Be warned that other posts may contain spoilers; if you haven't finished the novel, read this thread at your own risk!

[SusanH]

I finished this yesterday and really enjoyed it. I think my favorite section was the beginning, where she quotes her mother's writing in her baby book. Such sweet sentiments, but funny instead of maudlin. I haven't thought about the book enough yet to say much about it. I liked it a lot - the humor, the obvious love for her family and these eccentric townspeople, and the many things that reminded me of growing up in a small town just a few years later.

Definitely a good read. Thanks to Whitney for suggesting it!

[Maribeth]

Zippy was a fun read. I never would have picked this up on my own so thank you for chosing this book!

One of the reasons I enjoyed it so much is that I could have been Zippy. I'm the youngest of 3; my brothers are 12 and 8 years older than me so I had Zippy's experience with older siblings. One of my brothers told me I was left by gypsies who didn't want me. When I went screaming to my mom, my brother got in trouble. I liked Zippy's mom's explanations better. I was also told I was found under a rock and lots of other sordid things. My mom wasn't so laid back with these things.

I also lived in a very small town for about 3 years. We moved there when I was 7 and in the second grade. When I think about that town of 200 people, I can visualize this book so well. My town did have 2 bars in it though - directly across the 2 lane highway from each other. I tore around the place on my bicycle pretending it was my horse and I'm sure I had to be put into the tub at gunpoint. Ah small town America - there's nothing like it.

I loved the writing style very much. Some other person might have written the same book but used the gambling, drinking father with the nasty temper as the reason for a crappy life. Or the forever reading, never cooking or cleaning mother as the reason for neglect. Haven found the joy in these crazy characters and that was special to read.

I loved it when Haven mentions her kindergarten report card . . . "Is disruptive in class. Colors outside the lines. Talks out of turn." Her mother responds, "Good for you sweetheart" and her dad pats her on the head. I laughed out loud with that. My kindergarten report card said, "Usually" for each of the things we were graded on (like sits quietly at her desk . . . Usually. Plays well with others . . . Usually. Listens to directions . . . Usually.) My mom still laughs about that report card. She thought it was fabulous! It wasn't that I was a bad kid; I just had my own mind.

There was also another classic line when Haven's dad is working on something and she's gabbing away at him. He asks if she's going to keep talking and she says she might. He tells her, "Well, don't. I'm about to lose my temper and start cussing, so go find something else to do." "Okay, then. See ya, Daddy." "Take care, Zip." Daddy isn't mad at Haven but he's about to blow over his work . . . We must have had the same father. I was helping my dad move a lawnmower once that wasn't going well. I left him alone to his cussing and went into the house. My mom asked me what I was doing and I said, "Helping Dad get mad. He's cussing it out now." She laughed until she cried and she still does when she tells this story. My dad could have been Haven's. My mom was similar to her's except that she cooked and cleaned. But she made me dresses that I hated; I had to dress up in frills complete with bonnet for Easter. I was a tomboy and hated that crap and the dresses were awful. The scratchy tights and collars. YUCK.

Yeah, I think I lived a lot of Haven's life And now I have a happier perspective of it. My mom doesn't read much anymore but I'm going to share this book with her. She'll get it a kick out of it.

Mari

[Lisa Jo]

I recently read this book and thought it was wonderful. I liked her humor and the matter of fact, affectionate way she renders the quirky people in her life. I also loved the beginning that Susan describes. It was very moving in a quiet way.

The chapter on Dana was funny! She describes this girl who, if you didn't know she was only 7 or 8 years old, would seem high-school aged. A leather coat and a bad attitude at age 7.

I didn't relate personally to much of what she wrote, but still found it very enjoyable. I also liked the family pictures which began each chapter.

In her bio on the back inside cover she is described as attending a seminary school. I found myself pondering how she came to that decision since she seemed resolutely anti-religious as a child, though she was forced to attend church with her mother.

[1Dawn]

I read this book last year. It is great. It reminded me a lot of growing up in Wisconsin. She has a fun way of describing things and the little quirks of small town living
Dawn