Maggie’s Second Chance

By Nancy Furstinger; Illustrated by Joe Hyatt

Book cover featuring a close-up illustration of a black and white dog, with purple and pink clouds and lightning in the background. The text reads 'Maggie's Second Chance: a gentle dog's rescue' by Nancy Furstinger and Joe Hyatt.

In a compelling story, movingly illustrated, the issue of animal abandonment is brought to life. Maggie, a pregnant lab mix, is left behind in an abandoned house. Discovered by the realtor, Maggie is brought to the pound where her puppies are born. When Jeff, a fourth-grader, reads a newspaper story about Maggie’ puppies being adopted while Maggie is not, he learns from his teacher that Maggie will be euthanized if no one adopts her.

This knowledge galvanizes Jeff and his classmates to successfully plan and petition their town council to build an animal shelter. Maggie is given her second chance—taken to the new town shelter, where she is eventually adopted. Maggie’s Second Chance is based on the true story of Texas fourth-graders who, with their teacher’s assistance, founded an animal shelter in their town. The final page offers factual comprehensive information on how to help abandoned dogs.

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  • Dogs, Animal Welfare, Adoption

  • 24 Pages

  • Hardcover

  • 3-7 Years

  • Kindergarten - 3rd Grade

  • 0940719118

  • 9780940719118

Illustration of a woman with short brown hair hugging a black Labrador puppy, both smiling.

Reviews

  • Kirkus Reviews

    “Based on a true story, this selection tells the story of an abandoned dog and how a group of children fought to build a shelter in order to save her…Realistic, detailed illustrations show Maggie with longing, sorrowful eyes that follow readers through the pages.

    A nice example of how empowered children can really make a difference, this earnest, heartfelt selection will inspire children to start their own efforts.”

  • School Library Journal

    “This is a heartwarming story of a sweet black lab mix named Maggie who is left behind when her owners move away. Based on a true story of a group of fourth graders, this is an inspiring story of social justice, action, and agency. The text is accessible, and the illustrations of the animals are done in photorealistic detail…Resources for adopting a dog are appended.”

A black Labrador retriever sitting and looking at the front door, waiting for dinner with a bowl in front of her. A person is opening the door, and the dog looks up at her. The scene is set in a cozy home entryway.
Two illustrations of a sad black Labrador dog. The left shows the dog peering through a broken window with snow outside, and the right depicts the dog lying on a porch in front of a door, with a blue-toned background. The accompanying text tells of t
Illustration of people giving attention and care to three black puppies, one in a laundry basket, one in a scale, and one being petted, with bowls of food and a scale visible.
Left side: Photographs of black Labrador puppies, one with a catalog label reading "Pets of the Year." Right side: A woman in a pink sweater holding a black Labrador puppy, with another puppy sitting on a table behind her.
Pictures of children and dogs on a bulletin board celebrating the grand opening of Pooch Pals animal shelter. Signs include 'Grand Opening,' 'Sold,' and 'Future Home of Pooch Pals.' A large photograph of a black dog, and drawings of a girl gardening
A boy kneeling on the floor with arms outstretched, wearing a red jacket. A black dog with large ears is walking towards him. The setting is indoors with a tiled floor and closed cabinets in the background. The caption describes Maggie, the dog, wagg