Rescue

by Jessie Haas

Shy farm girl Joni’s new friendship with animal rights activist Chess unravels when Chess’s views push Joni too far in this layered coming-of-age story about two girls and their love for horses.

Joni’s world revolves around her beloved horse, Archie, and her family’s Vermont sheep farm. When outspoken, sophisticated Chess moves nearby, Joni is drawn to her, even though Chess questions everything Joni loves—working horses, eating cheese, having pets, and even the farm itself. Torn between desperately wanting a friendship and resenting Chess’s assumptions about horses and farms, Joni mostly keeps her opinions to herself. But when Chess steals their neighbor’s miniature horses to “rescue” them, Joni finds the courage to stand up for her beliefs. With quiet intensity, this timely novel tackles the complex issue of bridging the political divide and building friendships while staying true to yourself.

Genres: Animals, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade

Hardcover

Published January 1, 2018

About the author

Jessie Haas has written over 35 books for children and adults, many about horses--a lifelong passion. She currently owns a Morgan mare, Robin, who is being clicker-trained to be a trail and pasture-dressage horse. She lives in a small, off-grid house in the woods with husband Michael J. Daley, two cats and a dog. When not writing or riding or reading she likes to knit, cook, and write, or ride, or read.

Reviews

[Rena Sherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wonder what argument set off Jessie Haas to write this book, which looks at animal rescue through the eyes of a shy 12 year old farm girl. There are animal rights extremists, balanced with a look at a proper animal rescue.

The book fairly flies by, with Joni being a very sympathetic protagonist. It is frustrating how shy she is. She wants to be liked, so doesn't speak up most of the first half of the book. This is a very common thing for kids, especially girls, to do. I find her willing to forgive anybody for just about anything a bit baffling, but then again, I'm old.

Those of us who grew up on Haas' first book, the instant classic Keeping Barney will be relieved to find a very Barney-like equine in Joni's grey pony, Archie. Unfortunately, he's not in this book nearly enough.

The book centers on the see-saw friendship between Joni and the new girl who's moved near her farm, Chess (short for Francesca.) Chess is highly opinionated, confrontational, will rarely stop talking ... and yet Joni is enchanted with her. Chess is an animal right extremist, in that she thinks keeping pets is akin to keeping people as slaves.

There turns out to be a little more to Chess than the blustering front she puts up. Her family is in a terrible situation.

This is a book to get kids thinking, and possibly doing something constructive. It's also a decent story, with lots of horse and cat action. (The farm cat has kittens. It's at least her third litter.)

That being said, the family farm presented here is now a thing of the past, despite this being published in 2018. Family farms in America are expected to disappear by 2050. If you want to be a farmer, kids, it just ain't gonna happen ... unless you become filthy rich. And if you want to farm livestock, you have to get used to having them slaughtered.

For many societies in the past and present, you become an adult when you are 12 or 13. This is why most "coming of age" books have protagonists set about that age. One adult tells a graduating class of sixth graders that who they are as 12 year olds is who they are for the rest of their lives. Had to laugh at that, since it's such bullshit.

I also did not like that one old woman was chastised for snapping at the kid she thought hurt her. But the old woman was justified to act that way, given the situation presented.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as a read aloud with my 9 year old daughter at night. Started some interesting conversations about animal activists. Great horse story about feisty ponies and learning about what animals need rescuing, friendship, and speaking up about what you know/believe.

[Darby Karchut · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming!

[Laura Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the MA youth services review blog for the free book! (#partner) Joni lives on a sheep farm in rural Vermont and can't wait for summer; she's planning to ride her pony Archie every day to get ready for horse camp and spend lots of time with the new kittens on her family's farm. Then a new girl moves next door right before the end of school. Francesca, Chess, is from California. She is vegan and has strong opinions about how animals should be treated. Chess doesn't believe in owning animals and is especially offended by a neighbor, Mrs. Abernathy, who has her mini ponies pull her around in a cart. Joni and Chess start a complicated friendship; sometimes they have fun together, but Joni is uncomfortable with many of Chess' ideas. This is not the summer Joni expected. When Chess's ideas lead to action, she ends up putting animals in even more danger. Will Joni and Chess ever see eye to eye?

I just loved this book! I'm not even a horse person usually, but the ethical dilemma of animal rights versus the reality of farming life is so perfectly portrayed here. Readers will be fascinated by the implications of Chess's ignorance and the danger of misinformation. Both girls grow and change by the end of the book and the conflict resolves in a very realistic way. This is a must-buy for all elementary and middle school libraries; so many kids will find this one interesting and engaging.


To whom would you recommend this book? Animal lovers, horse lovers and students who want to learn more about animal rights will all like this book

[Terryann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gr - 4-6
12yo Joni lives on a sheep farm with her family and her spirited horse, Archie. Joni’s family lives a simple life, shearing sheep, making cheese and taking care of their farm. Joni has school friends who live further away and she sometimes feels left out, even at horse camp. When Chess moves in next door, it seems like Joni will have a built in friend. Chess, however, is different from anyone Joni has ever known. Her family won’t be ‘farming’ their land. Chess is a vegan and an animal rights activist. When Chess questions Joni about eating cheese, whether the sheep are happy, if Archie wants to be ridden, Joni must think about things in an entirely new way. When Chess goes a step too far in her activism, letting out a neighbor’s miniature horses, one of the horses becomes injured. Joni has to decide how to stand up to her new friend and still maintain the friendship. Haas is an expert on all things horse and farm, and this makes the book very readable. Joni is a relatable character who is struggling with issues kids will be familiar with such as animal rights and sustainable farming. Joni must figure out what she believes, while remaining sensitive to her friend’s beliefs. A great read for kids who like horses and who are environmentally conscious. Recommended to fans of Riding Freedom, by Pam Munoz Ryan
-Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix Public Library, AZ

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

12-year-old Joni lives on a sheep farm, and even has her own horse. When a new self confident girl Chess, moves into their rural Vermont neighborhood, Joni finds her attitude and California ways intriguing. Yet as she gets to know her she is surprised at how judgmental she is about animal owners care of their pets. Even though Chess is confrontational, and haughty about her strong opinions on animal rights, she has very little background knowledge to back them up. This coming of age story covers topics such as animal rights, fake news, and lots of fascinating information on horse care, and types of horses. A great pick for horse lovers, and readers who prefer realistic fiction with convincing brave characters, who think for themselves.

[Teresa Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like horse books and I like this book a lot. I can relate to Joni because she loves horses. When a new girl, Chess moves in, she becomes Joni's friend. Chess wants to help animals and keep the world a green place. She was a little dramatic for me and she felt a little preachy, so I didn't like that part. Chess takes some horses from a neighbor because she thinks the horses aren't treated right. Joni is scared to stand up to her friend. They have to work out their problems with each other. If the book had more horse things I would have rated it higher, but I liked it. (review by 5th grader, Elizabeth)

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Rubbish. I’m not a horse person, but I know plenty of kids who enjoy reading about horses, so I though I’d give it a try. Terrible writing with flat characters who speak with lots of exclamations!!!!!

The author managed to make vegans look like nothing more than ignorant, bitter killjoys. The character of Chess was unbearable. She did a great job promoting negative stereotypes, I’ll give her that.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't sure how I was going to like this book with an Animal Rights theme but I ended up enjoying it. This is a Juniors book and I felt it was a good introduction for kids about being good animal stewards (respecting the animals we have care of and given them good lives) and about the (I'm going to call it DANGERS) of Animal Rights activism.

[Ranette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very nice children's book about horses. A new girl from CA moves to Vermont and has strange ideas about having pets and the place people have in their lives. She soon learns that she needs to enlarge her understanding of animals.

[Elle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friendship is difficult between Joni and Chess. Chess is an animal rights activist and believed that all animals should be free, while Joni and her family keep goats and sheep to milk them. They work together to help each other understand each other's different points of view.

[Amber Hughey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The friendship was well done, and the characters were believeable.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic fiction about horses, friendship, Vermont farm life, and animal rights.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heavy-handed book about animal rights activists in different camps of activism

[☆ Amal Asif ☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not really like it is sounded so interesting on the back but when i read it it was barely about that and it was dumb and it made it long for no absolute reason

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve year old Joni has lived her whole life around animals on her parent’s sheep farm in rural Vermont and has no reason to question her life until she meets a new neighbor named Chess from California. Chess is a vegan who doesn’t believe animals should be pets, work or be food for humans and this is diametrically opposed to all Joni has been raised to believe. Chess immediately zeros in on another neighbor’s treatment of her cart ponies and her insistence that they must be “rescued”. This confuses Joni as she respects the owner’s horse knowledge and she can’t see any signs of abuse which Joni knows about from her volunteer job at a horse rescue. When Chess takes a drastic step without Joni’s help or knowledge, it puts the ponies in serious danger that shakes the foundation of their new friendship.

This middle grade novel examines both animal rights and relationship issues when friends don’t agree on something. It will appeal to middle school readers who like a real life animal and horse story with a dramatic ending. I would recommend this book for purchase by any school or public library.

This book was provided by the publisher for professional review by SWON Libraries.