This book was so inspiring to me! I now will start my own journey on reading more about Jackie Kennedy. I wasn't alive when she was the first lady, or really when she did all this hard work on saving the Grand Central station. I loved that she fought so hard to keep from the government destroying such a beautiful and historical landmark, and being a female also during this time makes her accomplishment even better!!!

I loved this picture book biography about Jacqueline Kennedy because it focused on an aspect of her life that I did not know much about which was her leading role in preserving Grand Central Station. I thought that the book contained historically accurate facts and a wonderful depiction of our former first lady. It also focused on the importance of protecting historical landmarks because they are crucial to our history as a country. The illustrations were very well done, and they reflected what Grand Central station currently looks like. ( )

An early introduction to Jackie Kennedy for grade levels 1-5. Jackie’s love for New York and preservation shine in this picture book. This books simply outlines how Jackie inspired thousands of people to come together and fight to protect the historic landmarks. From letter-writing campaigns all the way to the Supreme Court, this story will empower young readers that one person can make the difference. When I read this title to some children they had a few questions about items mentioned in the book. One question was who Andy Warhol was as it’s not really explained. Also within the illustrations several of the people don’t have feet which makes the illustrations feel incomplete. ( )

Former American First Lady Jackie Kennedy leads the charge in saving New York City's Grand Central Terminal in this engaging work of picture-book history. Always interested in art and architecture, she had used her tenure as first lady to refurbish and restore the White House, collecting artifacts and historical treasures with significance for that great building and its former residents, and bringing them together at the "People's House." After her time as first lady, when she was again living in New York, Kennedy discovered that one of the great architectural wonders of that city was in danger of being torn down. Determined to save Grand Central, which she felt should be preserved as a historical and artistic monument, she led a public relations campaign to oppose its destruction, and was instrumental in motivating important public figures to join the fight, and mount a legal challenge to the owners' decision to demolish. In the end, Jackie was successful, and although she did not live to see the fully restored Grand Central, its survival is, in part, a monument to her vision and public spirit.

A wonderful book, every bit as engaging as it is informative, When Jackie Saved Grand Central reminded me of the many times I traveled through that famous train station, during the years I commuted to work in Manhattan, and the great pleasure I always took in its beauty. How thankful I have always been, on a personal level, that I had the pleasure of passing through so majestic and uplifting a space, on a regular basis, rather than finding my way into the city through such a space as the modern Penn Station. As every New Yorker knows, the current Penn Station was built in the 1960s, and replaced a far more beautiful, and architecturally interesting train station, bearing the same name. We can thank Jackie Kennedy - and I do! - that a similar fate didn't befall Grand Central. Natasha Wing is to be commended for bringing this story to young readers, who may have never thought before about the history of the structures around them, and about the complicated decision-making process involved in either maintaining older buildings, or replacing them with newer ones. The accompanying artwork by Alexandra Boiger, done watercolor, gouache and ink, is absolutely charming, capturing Jackie's elegant personal appeal, as well as the drama of the public events in which she was involved, perfectly. There is a detailed afterword from the author, as well as a note from the illustrator, and a brief list of further reading. Highly recommended to anyone looking for history for the picture-books set, or who has a child interested in architecture, Grand Central, or Jackie Kennedy. ( )