When Jackie Saved Grand Central

Starred review from February 15, 2017
An account of the former first lady's impassioned campaign to save one of New York's iconic buildings.Wing and Boiger rightly acknowledge that it wasn't just Jackie Onassis' campaign, but here she stands at its center in both narrative and art--particularly in the latter, where she positively shines in a stylish red coat, whether fronting a protest march or striking a gracefully defiant pose before the U.S. Supreme Court. The author begins with her subject's renovation of the Kennedy-era White House and then, following quick looks at Grand Central's history and use, describes how the prospect of that magnificent, if somewhat seedy, landmark's demolition motivated Onassis to enlist the mayor, the city, and the nation in a protracted, ultimately successful battle. Next up: the building's $200 million restoration, which she helped to start but did not live to see completed in 1998. The author's repeated use of "cerulean" to describe Grand Central's ceiling, along with the footless, pipestem legs of Jackie and other figures in the diverse if generalized crowd scenes, does strike a twee note. Nonetheless, it's an inspiring historical episode that also makes a strong case for the general value of preserving our country's architectural treasures. Grand, in several ways. (author's & illustrator's notes, sources) (Informational picture book. 7-10)

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June 1, 2017

Gr 1-5-Beginning with a few pages of background about Jackie Kennedy and the work she put into restoring the White House, this book then delves into the history and cultural significance of New York City's Grand Central Station. For the most part, the author uses the diminutive "Jackie," depicting the former first lady as a determined but approachable figure who made preserving Grand Central a personal mission, participating in press conferences, fund-raising, lobbying, and demonstrations. Wing does an admirable job of describing a complex situation, making it understandable for a young audience and conveying the amount of time and effort required of Kennedy and many others to achieve the ultimate victory. The illustrations-rendered in watercolor, gouache, and ink, with spot colors and hand lettering added digitally-employ a variety of perspectives that give the book a cinematic quality. Whether using extreme close-ups, large-scale landscapes, or multi-illustration pages suggesting the passage of time, the visuals are energetic and multidimensional. In an artistic choice that may be puzzling to readers, Kennedy and other female characters often have sticklike legs that end in points rather than feet, while male figures are presented proportionally. Even the cover image portrays Kennedy more as a paper doll than human, which is strange in a book about a powerful woman who used her influence for the greater good. VERDICT While the text makes this title a great addition to nonfiction shelves, some of the illustrations may distract from the message.-Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 15, 2017
Grades 2-4 *Starred Review* What a great idea for a book! Activism, architecture, history, and a glamorous First Lady all come together in this historical vignette with the underlying theme that landmarks are to be saved for the people, not destroyed for profit. Wing begins by smartly showcasing Jackie Kennedy's refurbishing of the White House and how she turned a dreary mansion into a source of pride. The book then forwards to a two-page spread of Grand Central Terminal, explaining its history. After her time in Washington, Wing writes, Jackie returns to New York and fights to wrest the future of the station from the current owners, who want to build a skyscraper in its place. Although the legal cases were protracted, the story moves with alacrity, focusing on Kennedy's words and actions, yes, but also those of the legion of supporters who signed petitions, marched, and rode a train to D.C. for the ultimate Supreme Court hearing. After the successful court battle, Kennedy became involved in restoring Grand Central. Boiger's watercolor, gouache, and ink artwork has a whimsical and energetic feel that lightens the more procedural aspects of the text. The final spread of the renovated Grand Central does not quite capture its grandeur, but the endpapers featuring the constellation-filled ceiling mitigate this slight shortcoming. In sum, an offering as charming as it is informative.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2017
Lively if wordy text recounts how First Lady Jackie Kennedy, who restored a then "dreary" White House "into a stately home," waged a long, tough campaign to preserve NYC's historic, iconic Grand Central Station. The impressionistic watercolor, gouache, and ink illustrations convey the story's emotions and the station's grandeur, but Boiger oddly renders Jackie as a stilted, peg-legged character. Concludes with author's and illustrator's notes. Bib.

(Copyright 2017 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)