Jennie is the story of an orphaned chimpanzee who grows up with her adopted human family. Jennie adapts to her surroundings quickly, to enjoy the pursuits of the average young person - riding her own tricycle, playing with her pet kitten and Barbie, and fighting with her siblings. Written as a fictional oral history, Jennie tells the story of the Archibalds, the Boston-area family that took in the chimp from 1965 to 1975, and the ensuing family and scientific debates.