Publisher and Publication Date: Gallery Books. 2017.
Genre: Nonfiction. Biography.
Pages: 320
Source: Borrowed copy from granddaughter.
Rating: Good.
Audience: Readers with an interest in the Kennedy family, 1960s, and Irish immigrant.

Amazon

Summary:
In 1964, Kathy McKeon was a young woman of nineteen when she began working as a personal assistant for Jackie Kennedy. Kathy had not lived in the United States long. She was from a small village in Ireland. Jackie lived at 1040 Fifth Avenue in New York City. During the summer, Jackie and her children went to Cape Cod. McKeon worked for Jackie 13 years.

My Thoughts:
This is the first book I’ve borrowed from the bookshelf of my sixteen year old granddaughter. She’s an avid reader. We have similar tastes in books.
Jackie’s Girl is the first book I’ve read about the Kennedy’s. However, Jackie’s Girl is not a bio on the Kennedy’s, they are secondary characters in the book. Jackie’s Girl is the story of Kathy McKeon. It’s a coming of age story that is unique, because Kathy worked for Jackie Kennedy. Kathy’s perspective of Jackie is also unique. Kathy was not an American. She’s new to the American way of life in the mid 1960s. She’s new to living in a large metropolitan city.

My Thoughts:
Several things I liked about the book:
♦A unique perspective.
♦Written in a light-hearted manner.
♦Not an expose on the Kennedy family.
♦A solid introduction piece on the Kennedy’s.
♦Gave me an idea of what Jackie’s life was like.
♦A fresh look at Jackie’s personality.
♦A view of the relationship between Jackie and Aristotle Onassis.

What I didn’t like or wish had been added:
♦I still am not clear on what Kathy’s duties were for Jackie. From what I read, Kathy was to make sure Jackie didn’t run out of perfume and bath oil, and she was to entertain the children. Surely she had more to do?
♦Nothing is in-depth. Another words all the descriptions, thoughts, and perspective is minimal. I do not want to read a gossip book, but I do want to read a book that gives a strong and clear picture of the people and events.
♦The book left me wanting more, so much more.