Rating: 
Summary: Childhood, revisited
Review: Morning television viewers familiar with Today's Book Club endorsements were introduced to Haven Kimmel and her recollections of "growing up small" in Mooreland, Indiana. I was familiar with the author by her previous novel, _The Solace of Leaving Early_ . Her writing is beautiful, and in anticpation of another good read, I purchased _A Girl Named Zippy_. Captivated with the picture of a big eared, cross-eyed, bald and grinning baby on the cover, I began to read and happily shared what it was like growing up again in 1965.Haven Kimmel reached back into her childhood and gave us a picture-book of written memories perfectedly presented in age appropriate style. In a time before computers were in every house, her rememberances were a personal jolt back to my younger years and to recall just what we did with our imaginations and the way we processed the very confusing adult world where children were not indulged and incessantly reassured. As in most childhoods, there is joy, pain and traumatic events. The least notable moment in the daily life of a young girl appealed most, for it is there that Kimmel's eloquence dominates, revealing the intensity of 8 year old Zippy. Short chapters, highlighted with germane photographs of the family/person/place/event augment furthur the kickback experience to a healthy, wholesome childhood. This is a must read for anyone longing to revisit their younger years and feel what it was like to be a kid again.
Rating:
Summary: A great book - one of the best I've read
Review: Haven Kimmel has a wicked eye for the foibles of humankind - and does not spare herself, her family, or her neighbors. Their strengths and shortcomings are laid out with love and humor. (Her sister's assertion that Zippy was purchased from gypsies is not only backed up but embellished by her parents.) Although this is a memoir of a small girl, be warned - this is not the Disney version. There are some very dark components. Death visits cute piglets, bunnies, and an elderly neighbor and her scores of dogs and cats. A witch-like neighbor torments Zippy and is rumored to have tried to suffocate Zippy as an infant. A neighbor boy is cruel to Zippy and animals. Zippy herself can be childishly selfish, silly, and conniving. And yet every chapter - even the darkest ones - was leavened with insights and humor. I have rarely laughed so hard while reading a book. Zippy is indeed a miracle baby - fresh, insightful, and well worth visiting. Another review wondered if there was a generational divide - my 50- something mother recommended it to me, and a 60-something friend had recommended it to her.
Rating:
Summary: HEARTWARMING!!!
Review: I absolutely loved this book! I can only hope there is a sequel. I would love to know what has happened with her life since. Haven Kimmel is a true treasure.
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointed
Review: I grew up near Mooreland, Indiana and thought this would be a fun and interesting book. Boy, was I disappointed. Yes, there were some entertaining parts in the book, but I could not finish the book as the author spent too much talking about and describing death. I wasn't even through half of the book and had to get rid of it. I really did not want to read about what the neighbor boys did to the poor, defenseless rabbits. UGH!!! Definately what I expected. One star is too much for this book.
Rating:
Summary: Generational Differences in Opinion?
Review: I recommended this book as a selection for our neighborhood book club, thinking that everyone would love it, as I had. Boy, was I wrong! Two of the ladies in our club felt that the author had portrayed small town Indiana in such a poor light that they were downright offended. They felt that the family and neighbors were shown as bad people, and that no one in the town was really shown as a positive influence for the little girl.
I, on the other hand, saw the family and friends portrayed matter-of-factly- they were not perfect, some were very colorful characters, but overall they were good people, and made for some hilarious stories.
I'm wondering if the split that we saw in our book club is generational- that if you are in Zippy's generation (born in the late fifties and sixties), you can relate to the character from experiences in your own childhood. On the other hand, people in the generation prior to Zippy, may find her circumstances more unacceptable, and thus are unable to appreciate the humor. We don't have anyone younger in our book club, so I'd be interested to see what some of the twentysomethings and teenagers think of this book.
I think that if you can resist the urge to make judgements on Zippy's family and friends, and see the whole picture as Zippy does, then you'll be able to enjoy this book immensely.
Rating:
Summary: You Can Go Home Again
Review: Bravo to Haven Kimmel who with A Girl Named Zippy debunks two steadfast myths: 1)that people from Indiana aren't funny, and 2)that it is impossible to have a happy childhood. Given her small town, quirky family circumstances, it would have been easy for Ms. Kimmel to add to the heap of books venting introspective childhood angst. Instead she shows us the diamonds inside what most of us would perceive to be her lump of coal. This book is clever and laugh-out-loud funny from beginning to end. Her grandmother's advice on how to keep a husband in line is priceless. Kimmel's perspective and quick-witted prose makes the book an unsuspected pleasure. I was intrigued enough to visit Mooreland on a recent trip to Indiana, because I had to see it for myself. It's hard to imagine all the excitement of Zippy's world happening in those four blocks of quiet houses. One only wonders if the talented author who sprung from these humble beginnings will be able to remain rooted in what ultimately makes her unique. A teasured addition to any shelf.
Rating: 
Summary: From one small town to another.
Review: A GIRL NAMED ZIPPY is not a typical memoir. It doesn't tell the story about the famous people someone met or how the author got her big break or blame her parents for the horrible life she has. Instead, the book tells some stories about a young girl, nicknamed Zippy, growing up in a very small town in northern Indiana a generation ago. I very much enjoyed reading this book. The style is somewhat awkward and unusual. However, once you adjust, the style makes sense and seems to fit the pecularities of Zippy. This book will not appeal to everyone. There are some events described relating to animal abuse that some will find offensive. If you can't kill a bug, don't read this book. Also, the book describes life growing up in a very small town in northern Indiana. I enjoyed the book a lot because many of the people in the story reminded me of people in my own hometown. Sure there are a lot of crazy and zany events that occur, but believe it or not, that's what happens in small towns. People do all sorts of wierd things for amusement, especially in the days before televisions and computers. I've listened many times to the stories that my Dad and my uncle have told about growing up and the stories in A GIRL NAMED ZIPPY are almost dull in comparison. If you're able to put aside any prejudices you might have about small towns and if you aren't offended by descriptions of animal cruelty, then you will probably enjoy A GIRL NAMED ZIPPY.
Rating:
Summary: Reads Like Bad Essays From Creative Writing 101
Review: I am amazed that this hodgepodge collection of mediocre stories got past the mail-readers at a literary agency, let alone got published. This reminds me of the self-indulgent, awkward autobiographical essays that beginning writers grind out in "intro to creative writing" classes. Save your money -- don't buy this book -- ask a friend to write down his or her own childhood memories. They'll probably be more interesting.
Rating: 
Summary: So what really happened, Ms Kimmel?
Review: I started out very favorably disposed towards this book. I'm from rural Iowa myself, and grew up in exactly the same years Haven Kimmel did. I found the initial depictions of Zippy's small-town life pleasing and well-written. But my warm feelings dissipated, and were replaced by irritation, as I 'zipped' along through this lightweight memoir. Haven Kimmel's little girl narrator loses her precocious charm as her tall tales mount. Kimmel can't be faulted for working in bits of childlike exaggeration here and there, but her book ultimately is dishonest. Numerous situations she's depicted here veer from imaginative recollection into the realm of likely invention. And nearly all of her secondary characters have a false ring. Most are reduced to a quaint mannerism or religious affectation that's likely to resonate with stereotypes of rural Midwesterners held by provincial coastal types. My guess is that Kimmel wrote this book with that audience - i.e. those looking on the benighted Midwest with a mildly condescending grin - forefront in her mind. That's good for sales, I suppose, but I could only take so much of a nine-year-old girl with that same smirk on her face showing up the peasants fate dropped her amongst. Yes, Ms Kimmel, you're clever -- but you're not honest enough to be wise.
Rating: 
Summary: Small town corn
Review: I enjoyed the sense of growing up in the 60's this book portrayed. I felt I could identify with the character and enjoyed the book very much. So much so that I went to the library and got Kimmel's book the Solace of Leaving Early. (I think that's the title, sorry if I got it wrong) I never even finished reading it. I couldn't identify with any of the characters and I felt it moved way to slow. Oh well.
| 
