Hello,
I'm trying to reach the Polish community with information about my new novel, WANTING TO BE JACKIE KENNEDY, and I can't think of a better place to start than with PolishForum. My story is set in the Chicago neighborhood I grew up in—around Milwaukee, Division and Ashland The protagonist, Ellie Manikowski, is a second-generation American. Most of the story takes place between John Kennedy's inauguration in '61 and his assassination in '63.
Here's a summary of the story:
News of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' death in 1994 propels 50-year-old Ellie Manikowski back to her old Polish neighborhood of Chicago and to the bittersweet memories of her teenage years in the '60s. WANTING TO BE JACKIE KENNEDY is the tumultuous, at times hilarious story of Ellie's journey to womanhood and the role the nation's first lady plays along the way.
It's 1961—President Kennedy is inspiring America's youth to serve their country. Ellie's dreams of public service are cut short when her undertaker father loses his eyesight and teenage Ellie steps in to help with the family business. That summer the flats above the Manikowski Funeral Home are abuzz with romantic intrigue. At the same time Ellie finds her first love, her beloved Aunt Nina, who lives downstairs, is involved in a forbidden love affair that threatens the family's future and shakes Ellie's faith.
It's 1963—President Kennedy's assassination devastates the nation. What Ellie learns from the first lady during this wrenching time holds her in good stead when years later she faces disaster in her own life.
WANTING TO BE JACKIE KENNEDY was a semi-finalist in last year's Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Competition. Here's what reviewers had to say:
“Fueled by vivid descriptions and powerful atmospherics, Ellie’s memories of her adolescence are simultaneously pleasant . . . and heartrending . . . The author's voice is impressive as themes of religion—its significance or lack thereof—are sounded. Historical landmarks and references blend with a compelling storyline to create a nostalgic, moving story that will resonate with young adults and adult readers alike.” —Publishers Weekly Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Review
“Kern draws on her rich Polish heritage and the Camelot era of the early 1960s to give us a portrait of a family that is laugh-out-loud funny, poignant, and beautifully written.” Thomas Terlikowski —Backstreets
"If you enjoyed HOUSE ON MANGO STREET by Sandra Cisneros, and the movie, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, you're going to love WANTING TO BE JACKIE KENNEDY. Kern's voice is smart and sophisticated; her characters—set in Chicago's Little Poland in the '60s—are unforgettable. The story is deeply moving." —Margit Liesche, Hollywood Buzz.
I invite you to check out my website, Elizabethkern.com, to read an excerpt of the book. WANTING TO BE JACKIE KENNEDY is available in paperback on Amazon, and for e-readers on Kindle, i-Book, Nook, etc. If you enjoy it, please recommend it to your friends—especially those who have similar backgrounds to ours. I guarantee the story will rekindle old memories of Polish celebrations and culture. It might even make you laugh, shed some tears, and share your feelings in this forum.
Thanks for you time,
Elizabeth
