The Zippity Zinger

The Zippity Zinger is the fourth book in the Hank Zipzer series by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver. It was first published in December 2003.

Plot Summary

Hank's friends choose Hank to be the pitcher for their school, PS 87's Olympiad baseball team. Since Hank can't pitch for his life, he thinks his sister's lucky red monkey socks may be the answer. Only one problem - Emily needs them on the same day for her part of the Olympiad!

Main characters

• Hank Zipzer – Hank is a fourth-grader at P.S. 87 who has dyslexia. Frankie Townsend and Ashley Wong are his two best friends. His real name is Henry Daniel.
• Frankie Townsend – Frankie is Hank's best friend who is described as being very smart.
• Ashley Wong – Ashley, dubbed Ashweena by Hank and Frankie, is Hank's other best friend who loves rhinestones.
• Nick McKelty – Nick, dubbed Nick the Tick by Magik 3, is their rival. He often teases Hank for his dyslexia and is described as being annoying and a braggart.
• Papa Pete – Hank's grandfather, with whom him and his friends are very close to.
• Emily Zipzer – Hank's younger sister. She is in the third grade at P.S. 87 and is described as being very smart, but also annoying. She has a pet iguana named Katherine.
• Robert Upchurch – Robert is described as scrawny and a nerd.
• Randi Zipzer – Hank's mother, who runs the Crunchy Pickle Deli and insists that the family eat healthily.
• Stanley Zipzer – Hank's father, who is obsessed with crossword puzzles.
• Mrs. Adolf – Hank's teacher. She is described as being very boring and strict.