1.I would recommend this book to lower to middle elementary school.
2.This book goes through the story of Jessica a girl who became an amputee who wanted a support animal. It follows both the story of a dog named Rescue her human named Jessica and what they did for one another and how they both helped each other.
3.I really like this book and will definitely have it in my future classroom. ( )

This book talks about the uses of guide dogs in someone's life. This could be used in a classroom to showcase how animals can help people.

In the book Rescue and Jessica it's about a girl and her service dog. She explains her relationship with her dog and tells the readers how he helps her. This is a great book for kids learning about service animals. ( )

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. ( )

Award Winning Book
2018

Rescue and Jessica won the Schneider Family Book Award in 2019. This book is a true story with a few general changes for the age group. (Jessica is portrayed as a child in this book, when in reality, she received Rescue when she was and adult. The story is written by the actual Jessica).

As the story opens, we meet Rescue who is told by his trainer that he will never be a seeing eye dog. He wonders where is place is in the world as his whole family has been seeing eye dogs. But, his trainer has decided he would do better as a service dog. Rescue is nervous and doesn't know what to think.

Jessica is currently in the hospital - both of her legs have been badly injured. Jessica is worried and scared that she will never walk again.

The book is a constant flip between Rescue's perspective, being trained, wondering if he will be good enough and Jessica's perspective. In Jessica's case she is concerned about her health, healing, and how that will all work out for her.

Rescue's trainer tells him he's a natural as a service dog. Jessica is also adapting to her new set of circumstances - learning to walk with a prosthetic leg, using a wheelchair, and getting out of bed differently from before her injuries. We find that Jessica and Rescue are both strong-willed and brave - but still worry about their futures and what it holds for them.

Jessica meets another service dog and immediately files an application to get her own. Jessica and Rescue are shown getting their big news on the same day. Rescue even got a special cape to wear. Rescue will be Jessica's service dog! Hooray! He supports Jessica in all sorts of ways, he shows her all the different ways he can assist her - like picking up the phone, opening the fridge, and making others aware when Jessica needs assistance. When there is down time, Jessica lets Rescue take long naps or ensures he has lots of playtime as well.

Soon, Jessica finds out that she will have to have her other leg amputated. However, after she gets the news, Rescue knows just what to do - and they snuggle in their sleep all night long. Jessica and Rescue were meant to be and he continues to help her.

I think this book is important for young children to understand that people are differently abled. That their disabilities can start anytime - whether at birth, due to an accident, or due to an illness later in life. But that doesn't mean that they can't accomplish certain tasks or achieve their dreams.

In the author's note we learn that Jessica was actually injured during the 2013 Boston Marathon and really did become a double amputee due to the injuries sustained that day. Rescue was named in honor of a firefighter who gave his life rescuing others on September 11th. We find out that not only was Jessica injured, but her husband was as well and he also had his leg amputated from injuries sustained that day. As mentioned earlier in the review, Jessica received Rescue as an adult, but states that most of the book is an accurate, though somewhat fictional account, of what happened. They also mention the organization, NEADS, that provided her with Rescue. On the very last page we see Jessica, her husband, and Rescue in a picture from 2017.

I highly recommend this book. It teaches children (and adults!) empathy, understanding, and is quite inspiring. It shows how, though times may get hard, it's possible to overcome tragedy. ( )