Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship

A gentle introduction to service dogs and acquired disability.

An inspiring tale of compassion and perseverance.

The quiet and stirring text pairs beautifully with the art, which uses color and white space to convey time, meaning, and emotion with great effect.

PK-Gr 3—The author's true story of her friendship with her service dog. Rescue, a young pup is training to become a service dog, learning to fetch things, to open doors, and even to turn on lights. Jessica is recovering from an injury to both of her legs and is getting acclimated to using prosthetics and walking again. Each is worried about their skills and their futures, but when they are eventually paired, it is an instant connection and realization that they can do so much together. The power of their relationship is made quite clear throughout the book. Kensky, and her coauthor and husband Downes, were both injured in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and have chosen to leave that particular detail out of the primary narrative. Instead, they focus on the work that Rescue does to aid Jessica every day and the intensity of their relationship. Magoon's digital illustrations are a lovely accompaniment to the text, providing rich detail to the spare story, and the scenes of Jessica and Rescue playing and working with the Boston skyline as a backdrop only add to the poignancy. VERDICT This is a strong selection for any collection, and stories about working dogs never get old; this will be appreciated and enjoyed by a wide variety of young people.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

These married authors, who each lost legs in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings and have a service dog named Rescue, affectingly weave fact and fiction in their debut book. Jessica, a fictional child, is a hospital patient recovering from an unspecified injury; "both of her legs were badly hurt," and her left leg was amputated. While she learns to walk with a prosthetic leg (though she's "frustrated and sad about the things she still couldn't do"), a frisky black Lab is being trained as a service dog nearby. Jessica's spirits improve measurably once she adopts Rescue, and, after her right leg is removed in a second surgery, the intuitive, intelligent dog helps Jessica adjust to her new life, emotionally and physically. Kensky and Downes streamline their character's medical ordeal and her process of learning to walk again, highlighting the moments of quiet victory as well as those of despair. Magoon's (I Have a Balloon) realistic digital illustrations poignantly capture these experiences, offering images of the girl and dog that emphasize the fact that theirs is a mutual rescue. The artist, who like the authors is a Boston resident, provides affectionate, sunlit glimpses of that city--including one featuring a mother duck swimming with her ducklings. Ages 5-9. Authors' agent: Clelia Gore, Martin Literary Management. (Apr.)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

This sensitively told version—written with her husband, who also lost a leg in the bombing—highlights her relationship with the gallant Rescue.
—The New York Times Book Review

This riveting story about the relationship between a disabled girl and her black lab service dog is based loosely on Kensky's own experiences as a double amputee...Throughout, the reader is treated to fascinating details on the many tasks service dogs can accomplish and, more important, how Jessica and Rescue saved each other. An inspiring tale of compassion and perseverance.
—Booklist (starred review) 

Magoon uses dark backgrounds to symbolize Jessica's sadness and fear, but scenes with Rescue are open and bright; with Rescue nearby, even the night after her second amputation is lightened (via lamplight and stars). An authors' note reveals that both are survivors of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing and includes information on National Education for Assistance Dog Services, the organization that trained Rescue. A gentle introduction to service dogs and acquired disability.
—Kirkus Reviews

The quiet and stirring text pairs beautifully with the art, which uses color and white space to convey time, meaning, and emotion with great effect...In the main text, Jessica's injuries are not explained; the story instead focuses on the power and comfort that comes from her relationship with her service dog.
—The Horn Book 

Renewal of a more poignant sort transpires in the affecting pages of "Rescue & Jessica..". Scott Magoon's colorful digital illustrations are pitch-perfect here: detailed enough to convey a sense of reality, yet softened and stylized in a way that will make the emotional intensity bearable for children ages 5 to 9. Young readers may also be delighted by the tasks that Rescue and dogs like him can perform, from fetching a ringing cellphone and opening the fridge to knowing exactly when his human needs consolation.
—The Wall Street Journal

Based on the real-life story of Rescue and Jessica, this story of courage, adaptation, and a positive attitude to overcoming obstacles is thoroughly inspiring.
—Kendal A. Rautzhan's "Books to Borrow"