Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship

Written by Jessica Kensky, Patrick Downes and Scott Magoon

Narrated by John J. McDonough

Based on a real-life partnership, the heartening story of the love and teamwork between a girl and her service dog will illuminate and inspire. Rescue thought he'd grow up to be a Seeing Eye dog - it's the family business, after all. When he gets the news that he's better suited to being a service dog, he's worried that he's not up to the task. Then he meets Jessica, a girl whose life is turning out differently than the way she'd imagined it, too. Now Jessica needs Rescue by her side to help her accomplish everyday tasks. And it turns out that Rescue can help Jessica see after all: a way forward, together, one step at a time. An endnote from the authors tells more about the training and extraordinary abilities of service dogs, particularly their real-life best friend and black lab, Rescue.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 3, 2018
• ISBN: 9781980001119

Reviews for Rescue and Jessica

[jennybeast · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm not crying, you're crying.

I would feel vaguely resentful at the amount of sobbing this book induced in me had it not been so solidly written -- great book to share if you need to talk to kids about how animals can be trained as service animals and how people can overcome in devastating situations. Based on a true story about a Boston Marathon bombing survivor and her service dog. Whole lotta love and good feeling in here.

[aengolia-414725 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is based on a true story of Jessica Kensky who survived the Boston bombing. Jessica lost her leg and is learning to walk again when she gets Rescue, her service dog. Rescue helps Jessica every single day and is even with her when she has to sadly get her other leg amputated. It is so inspiring to see that throughout all of the adversities she faces, she stands strong and unwavering with Rescue by her side. I almost feel like Rescue, "rescued" her by being there with her throughout everything. I loved this story and the fact that it based upon true events made it that much better.

[sgentr1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this book because it made a concept that is foreign or unimaginable to many students relatable and gives students with physical disabilities and/or service dogs representation. This book pushes readers to think about how Jessica’s life is both the same and different from their own, giving children perspective and understanding. The format was both unusual and relatable, giving voice to what Rescue could have been thinking in italics. Most dog owners do this regularly, voice what we think our dog would say if they could talk. The book shows the reader that even when you face adversity, you can rise above it with a little help from friends. I also liked that the authors included information about the real Jessica and about service dogs.

[abigailadams26 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Husband-and-wife team and first-time co-authors Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes relate the parallel stories of Rescue the service dog and Jessica, the double-amputee with whom Rescue is eventually paired, in this immensely moving picture-book. Dog and human must each contend with the unexpected path their life takes, and their uncertainty about their own ability to succeed on that path. Rescue had expected to be a seeing eye dog, like his family, while Jessica had never thought to lose first one leg, and then the other. But these two eventually discover all the many things that they can do, especially when together...Kensky and Downes, newlyweds who were both injured during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, losing limbs as a consequence, draw upon their own experiences in this autobiographical picture-book, which is illustrated by Boston-area artist Scott Magoon, who was himself running in the marathon that fateful day. The story here is moving, and the narrative itself skillfully woven. The authors only address the cause of Jessica's injuries in their afterword, choosing instead to focus on the emotional reality of losing a limb, and preparing to face a life that looks very different from what one had expected. The text is understated, but powerful, with certain phrases - things being described as "hard to hear," for instances - that evoked a strong emotional reaction in me, despite their simplicity. Magoon's artwork is lovely, capturing the emotional register of each scene perfectly. I found myself tearing up, while reading this one. Highly recommended to anyone looking for picture-books about disability, service dogs and/or the unexpected paths life might take, and how to deal with unimaginable challenges.