"A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland, Indiana" is a memoir by Haven Kimmel that captures the author’s childhood experiences in a small Indiana town during the 1960s and 1970s. The book is rich in humor and paints a vivid picture of a close-knit community where everyone knows each other. Zippy, the nickname given to Kimmel, navigates her early years with a unique perspective, observing the quirks of her family and neighbors while grappling with her own identity as a small girl in a small town.
Kimmel’s writing is characterized by its warmth and wit, as she delves into her family's dynamics, particularly her relationship with her parents and siblings. The narrative is filled with anecdotes that highlight the joys and challenges of growing up in a simpler time, where adventures could be found in the mundane. She shares the lessons learned from her surroundings, offering insights into the American Midwest upbringing.