Zippy Jarvis

Zippy is the narrator of the book. The unexpected daughter of Bob and Dee Dee Jarvis, she is born ten years after Melinda, almost thirteen after Daniel. She is a strange-looking baby with big eyes, a long face and no hair. She does not speak until she is almost three years old—her doctor suspects that a bad staph infection as an infant is to blame. Zippy continues to grow up somewhat strange-looking with hair that cannot be tamed and always the tallest and skinniest girl in her class. She lives in Mooreland, Indiana and recounts her adventures growing up there. Although only 300 residents large with one main road, Zippy finds plenty to do and learn. Since her siblings are so much older, she is a bit precocious growing up. Her parents alternate between doting on her and joking with her, such as her mother telling...