Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship: (An Inspiring True Story about Disability Awareness, Service Dogs, Resilience, and Friendship for Kids - Paperback

by Jessica Kensky (Author), Patrick Downes (Author), Scott Magoon (Illustrator)

A New York Times bestseller!
"An inspiring tale of compassion and perseverance." --Booklist (starred review)

Rescue thought he'd grow up to be a Seeing Eye dog, but 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. Based on a real-life partnership, this 2019 Schneider Family Book Award Winner features an endnote from the authors about service dogs, including their real-life best friend and black lab, Rescue.

Author Biography

Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes are a married couple who were both injured during the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013. Jessica's service dog, Rescue, was her faithful companion for 12 years. Their family now includes their two children and Jessica's new service dog, Mikey, who has very big pawprints to fill but is up to the task. Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes live in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Scott Magoon has been designing, writing, and illustrating books for young readers since 2003. He lives in Reading, Massachusetts.