Leigh Straw - The Kennedy's at Cape Cod, 1944

The Mandurah Readers’ and Writers’ Festival is an annual adult literature event presented by City of Mandurah Library Services. The aim of the festival is to foster a love of reading and literature and encourage creativity in our community.

In 2026 the festival will be held from 8 - 10 January at Seashells Mandurah, bringing together an array of established and emerging storytellers from across Western Australia. This three-day festival includes author talks, and panel discussions.

Please Note:

This ticket is for an individual event, if you would like to attend for the whole day, please purchase a Mandurah Readers & Writers Festival 2026 - Day One Ticket ($15.00)

Join Leigh Straw in conversation with Teena Miller discussing Leigh’s latest book on one of the world’s most well-known families, the Kennedy’s.

Leigh Straw

Leigh Straw is Associate Professor of History at Notre Dame University, Fremantle, where she teaches in Australian, European and Modern US history. She is the author of several books including The Petticoat Parade: Madam Monnier and the Roe Street Brothels (2021) for which she was joint winner of the 2022 Margaret Medcalf Award for Excellence in Research and Referencing. Her most recent publication focuses on the Kennedy Family, The Kennedys at Cape Cod, 1944: The Summer that changed Everything. Leigh is currently writing a feminist biography of Patricia Kennedy Lawford.

The Kennedy’s at Cape Cod, 1944: the Summer that changed Everything.

The Kennedys considered their home in Hyannis Port, Cape Cod, 'The big white house', to be a haven from their busy lives. Yet in the summer of 1944, against the backdrop of WWII, the events that unfolded for them there changed the family forever. Beginning in the May of that year, The Kennedys at Cape Cod 1944 paints an intimate picture of those few months. As the younger Kennedy children and their parents settled into their summer home, it follows the family drama that unfolded. From the scandal of the eldest daughter, Kick, marrying William 'Billy' Cavendish, and the eldest son, Joe Jr's, dangerous and secret bombing missions over Europe, to second son Jack's quiet recovery from injury sustained in the line of duty, younger daughter Rosemary's conspicuous absence and the youngest son, Ted's, loneliness, it explores the innermost hopes, fears and anxieties of each Kennedy.

Facilitator – Teena Miller

Teena Miller is Coordinator Library Services for the City of Mandurah. In addition to her Bachelor of Arts degree, Teena also has a Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Studies and recently completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

Teena has what some might consider an unnatural enthusiasm for crime, which stems from her undergraduate degree in Sociology / Anthropology, not her family history (although rumour has it, she does come from convict stock).

An avid reader, Teena has a particular fondness for Australian crime, both true and fictional and also loves dinosaurs and primates. But that’s a whole other story!

What to Expect:

2.00pm: In Conversation

2.45pm: Q & A

3.00pm: Book signing

Tea & Coffee provided.

Festival Bookseller is Dymocks Busselton