May 2018
The Literary Resource for Teachers, Librarians, and Parents
Jessica, Patrick & Rescue
A Journey of Hope and Healing Julian Lennon
Inspires Kids to Imagine a Better World One to Read:
Katherine Applegate
Mara Wilson
Joins Roald Dahl’s Imaginormous Judging Panel
Mazza Museum
Brings Beloved Picture Book Art to Life
Shelley Lekven
Molds an Enchanting New Children’s Book
Teaching Toolbox: Science, Social Studies and Stories Q&A with
Lois Brandt
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Cover photo courtesy of Kyla Dunlavey Story Monsters Ink magazine and www.StoryMonsters.com are trademarks of Story Monsters, LLC. Copyright ©2018 Story Monsters Press, ISSN 2374-4413, ISBN: 9781338199932: All rights reserved. Contents may not be published in whole or in part without the express written consent of the bylined author and publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual writers and are not necessarily those of Story Monsters Ink or its advertisers. Story Monsters Ink is published by Story Monsters Press Postal mail may be sent to Story Monsters Ink 4696 W. Tyson St., Chandler, AZ 85226 Phone: 480-940-8182
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Honor Roll Gold Award Recipient, Mom’s Choice Awards. Named among the “great magazines for kids and teens” by School Library Journal. 2016 Irwin Award winner for “Best Publisher of a Literary Magazine” and “Best Editorial Director.”
May 2018
In this issue 14 One to Read: Katherine Applegate
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20 Mara Wilson Joins Roald Dahl’s Imaginormous Judging Panel
Julian Lennon Inspires Kids to Imagine a Better World
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24
Jessica, Patrick & Rescue: A Journey of Hope and Healing
Mazza Museum Brings Beloved Picture Book Art to Life
Boston Strong
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Q&A with Lois Brandt
Shelley Lekven Molds an Enchanting New Children’s Book
34 StoryMonsters.com Teaching Toolbox: Science, Social Studies, and Stories
32 Kids Can Publish 36 How Does Your Garden Grow? 38 Spring Reading List
44 Monsters at the Movies 46 Conrad’s Classroom 43 Liv on Life
48 Book Reviews 58 Kids Corner
Tell us what you think of this issue! Email your comments to cristy@storymonsters.com.
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Feature Cover Story
Jessica, Patrick & Rescue: A Journey of Hope and Healing by Melissa Fales
Just seven months into their marriage, Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky were seriously injured in the bombings that marred the 2013 Boston Marathon. The couple lost limbs, they lost their freedom for the four years they spent in hospitals recovering, and there were many times when they almost lost hope.
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Feature Cover Story
Amidst all this loss, Downes and Kensky gained a crucial, furry new friend. Rescue, a trained service dog assigned to help Kensky with her everyday actions, bounded into their lives and quickly became a beloved part of the family. Now, Downes and Kensky have co-authored a children’s book, Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship (Candlewick Press), inspired by their beloved Labrador Retriever and the profound impact he’s had on their lives during their darkest hours. In April 2013, the couple was planning to relocate to San Francisco where Downes would undertake a psychology fellowship. “We didn’t know when we’d be back in Boston, so we made a very last-minute decision to go for a walk on a beautiful, sunny day,” says Kensky. “It was rare for us both to have a day off together. We figured we’d check out the race.” The couple found a spot near the finish line shortly before the first bomb went off. “Suddenly we were shot into the air,” says Kensky. “It felt like we were on a rocket ship. I don’t think I learned it was a bomb
until the next day. Very innocent thoughts crossed my mind. I had remembered seeing lots of sound equipment and speakers. I thought something had malfunctioned and it was an accident.” In the chaos, the pair was separated and initially taken to different hospitals. Both had lost their left legs and Kensky’s right leg was ravaged. Efforts to save it were ultimately unsuccessful and prolonged her recovery. “These were not nice and clean amputations,” Kensky says, adding that shrapnel, dirt, and even part of the street were imbedded in their skin. Sometimes, Kensky’s background as an oncology nurse helped her during the process, but sometimes she felt as if she knew too much. “I worried a lot,” she says. “I knew about potential pitfalls and bad outcomes.” They would eventually spend over four years in the hospital, three of them at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. When Kensky learned she’d be permanently disabled, she applied for a service dog from NEADS (National Education for Assistance Dog Services) in Princeton, Massachusetts. “I’ve always been a dog lover,” says Kensky. “I’m one of those people who, when I picture heaven, I envision being surrounded by dogs.” The process of getting a service dog was more complicated than she expected. “We filled out an application and then we had an interview and we still weren’t done,” she says. “I remember thinking, We’re getting a dog, not a child, right?” NEADS had to find just the right service dog for Kensky because he would be by her side constantly helping with daily tasks. “He had to be the right height for me,” she says. “They measured how low my hand would go, so if he was fetching something for me, I wouldn’t have to reach too far and lose balance. Also, some dogs don’t like wheelchairs or walkers or crutches. My dog had to be okay with all of those things. And they took into consideration both of our energy levels.” Six months after the incident, Kensky was introduced to Rescue, a lab who would become her service dog. “The first day Rescue met Jess, he came bounding in super goofy, all fired up and her face lit up with pure joy,” says Downes, describing the dog’s amusing antics. “We just started laughing in a way we had not laughed in months. It felt like a new sensation. It was such a foreign thing to feel joy like that.” Kensky says
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Feature Cover Story
watching Rescue do simple things, like chase a ball, was a welcome diversion from their medical issues. “He took our minds off of our problems,” she says. “We didn’t worry about each other and what was going to happen. We could just watch him be in the moment, so active and agile at a time when we felt so dismantled.” Once Rescue entered her life, Kensky slept through the night for the first time since the bombing. “I have these images in my head of Jess at the end of a difficult day,” says Downes. “She was drained physically and emotionally. Rescue would curl up with her and she’d pass right out. His presence was far more potent than any pain medication or sleeping pill.” Rescue has been trained to help Kensky by fetching things, pushing elevator buttons, and should she
“There are a number of kids in our world dealing with amputations. I hope they see themselves in the book and it reminds them of the strength they have.” fall, to stand next to her so she can brace herself to pull herself up. “He also barks on command to alert people,” says Kensky. “I’ve asked my neighbors to please check on me if they hear Rescue barking.” Perhaps more importantly, Rescue gives Kensky StoryMonsters.com | May 2018 | Story Monsters Ink
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