Zipped [Hardcover]

Laura McNeal (Author), Tom McNeal (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 11, 2003

WHEN 15-YEAR-OLD MICK Nichols opens the wrong e-mail, he learns a terrible secret: His stepmother is having an affair with a man named Alexander Selkirk. Mick is stunned. Should he tell his father, confront his stepmother, or keep it all to himself? And who, exactly, is Alexander Selkirk? Mick becomes obsessed with the infidelity, in spite of some serious distractions. Distractions like Lisa Doyle, the religious field-hockey player with the coppery red hair. Like the surprising (but appreciated) affections of Myra Vidal, a famously gorgeous college freshman with a secret of her own. And at the moment Mick discovers Selkirk’s true identity, he realizes his problems are all zipped up together—and that he may have to go to drastic lengths to untangle them.

“The McNeals spin a wonderfully rich story.”—Kirkus Reviews

“A well-honed novel. . . . Readers will be sucked in.”—Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-Well-realized, sympathetic teen and adult characters populate this novel packed with family problems, romance, and wry humor. Fifteen-year-old Mick Nichols opens his stepmother's e-mail by mistake and discovers that Nora is having an affair. Unable to confront her or tell his father, he turns surly and uncommunicative at home. Meanwhile, he's embarked on a confusing friendship with a college girl and a budding romance with a high school classmate, the beautiful Lisa Doyle. Mick has a troubled relationship with his mother, who left the family years ago, and has always admired-as well as had a mild crush on-his young, attractive stepmother. Her affair shatters his illusions. While he searches for clues to the identity of Nora's lover, he also gets to know Lisa better on their weekend job. Obstacles stand in the way of love, including her interest in an off-limits Mormon missionary. Mick commits an uncharacteristic act of vandalism aimed at his stepmother's lover, and ultimately has an emotionally satisfying confrontation with Nora. The teen's romance with Lisa finally takes off, and several other subplots wrap up as well, sometimes too neatly. Mick learns that the adults whom he has idolized have their own problems, and that relationships are far more complex than he ever imagined. Refreshingly, Mick's father and stepmother are fully fleshed out characters, not stereotypes. This is a believable novel that will especially appeal to teens interested in moral ethics and human dynamics.
Miranda Doyle, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Inside Flap

When 15-year-old Mick reads an e-mail never meant for his eyes, his world is shattered. His stepmother?his lovable, beautiful stepmother?is cheating with a man named Alexander Selkirk. And Mick?s dad?his quiet, loyal dad?has no idea.
Mick is obsessed and burdened with his secret, and nothing can distract him. Not his crush on Lisa Doyle, that Mormon girl on the field hockey team. Not the surprising (but appreciated) affections of Myra Vidal, a famously gorgeous college freshman. Not the strange robberies at the Village Greens, the old folks? home where Mick works. And on the day he meets Alexander Selkirk, out of the blue, Mick realizes all his problems are all zipped up together?and that he may have to go to drastic lengths to find
the solutions.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers; 1 edition (March 11, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375814914
• ISBN-13: 978-0375814914
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,054,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book you will enjoy, April 26, 2003

By 

Katy (Long Island, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zipped (Hardcover)

When i first started reading this book, i admit, i wasn't really interested. I felt it took a little too long to get the plot going, so i put it down. Then about 2 weeks later i went on vacation and decided to take it with me. I'm so glad now that i made the descion to pick it up and read it again. I love this book because even though the begining is slow, when i was done with the book, i appreciated that the authors had taken the time to give me some backround on the characters so that i would understand their problems and fall inlove with their personalities. This book definitly gives you many twists and turns and the plot is defintitly the best i have read in a long time. The book has suspence, romance, thrill and the feeling that this is reality and it might actually happen in the real world. I highlt reccommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great read!!!! :)

3.0 out of 5 stars Zipped, December 22, 2008

By 

M. Chester - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zipped (Knopf Readers Circle) (Paperback)

Interesting story, but not extremely well done. It was a little long in parts and teaches that its okay to keep huge secrets like infidelity in marriage or vandalizing cars and in the end everything will be hunky dory.

5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!, February 14, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Zipped (Knopf Readers Circle) (Paperback)

I like this book because it is so real. I think this can really happen in real life situation and that this why I love this book because he doesn't know what to do and what would he do if he told somebody? Mick was my favorite character because he is just a fifteen- years old and that he was on the computer he read a email about his step mom was having an affair. Mick always keep an eye for his mom and that keeping the secret safe so he wont tell his dad. His step mom Nora was always giving him things to do and like making him busy so she would do her own things and stuff.

More in the book Mick tries to find some clue about his step mom and try who is the mystery guy is?

This book always keep you up on top of your feet but I had fun read it. It was slow at the beginning but it made it self get better and better. One of my favorite part is when he was in his room think what would he do? Would he tell or No? if I was in his situation I would tell my dad or just tell her straight up what was she doing and stuff. I wouldn't just spy on her because u maybe can find more things about her and stuff.

This book is Great so read it.