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carolynmenke's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Author Jenni L Walsh brings us another brilliant fast-paced uplifting MG historical. Operation: Happy introduces readers to what it was like to experience war.
When Jody and "Team Zuber" (Mom, Dad, Peggy, and herself) move to Pearl Harbor, Jody is eager to explore the island with her beloved dog, Happy, by her side. Her mom seems worried about the battleships, and Jody isn't sure why. She's got a "best of" list she plans to work on with Happy. But air raid drills put a damper on island life. Team Zuber has a plan, and Jody is sure everything will be okay. For the time being, Jody is focused on Operation: Happy -- keeping her aging dog active and enjoying life to the fullest.
When Pearl Harbor is attacked, Jody’s family is split apart. Her military dad stays behind while Jody, Happy, her sister, and her mother evacuate to San Francisco. Everyone is sad to leave dad behind, but Jody's mom struggles most of all. Suddenly, Jody and her sister are in charge of figuring out how to buy the groceries, cook dinner, iron their clothes, and fix their hair so that their teachers don't figure out what's going on at home. Will Jody's mom not be able to take care of Jody and her sister anymore? When will dad come to meet them?
Excellent book for children and readers of all ages! The author does a great job of foreshadowing what is to come without being scary. This story is inspired by real people and places during a notable time in history. I love the strong female characters and Happy the dog plays a pivotal role throughout. Highly recommend! Reading guide available after Author's Note!
When Jody and "Team Zuber" (Mom, Dad, Peggy, and herself) move to Pearl Harbor, Jody is eager to explore the island with her beloved dog, Happy, by her side. Her mom seems worried about the battleships, and Jody isn't sure why. She's got a "best of" list she plans to work on with Happy. But air raid drills put a damper on island life. Team Zuber has a plan, and Jody is sure everything will be okay. For the time being, Jody is focused on Operation: Happy -- keeping her aging dog active and enjoying life to the fullest.
When Pearl Harbor is attacked, Jody’s family is split apart. Her military dad stays behind while Jody, Happy, her sister, and her mother evacuate to San Francisco. Everyone is sad to leave dad behind, but Jody's mom struggles most of all. Suddenly, Jody and her sister are in charge of figuring out how to buy the groceries, cook dinner, iron their clothes, and fix their hair so that their teachers don't figure out what's going on at home. Will Jody's mom not be able to take care of Jody and her sister anymore? When will dad come to meet them?
Excellent book for children and readers of all ages! The author does a great job of foreshadowing what is to come without being scary. This story is inspired by real people and places during a notable time in history. I love the strong female characters and Happy the dog plays a pivotal role throughout. Highly recommend! Reading guide available after Author's Note!
thenextgenlibrarian's review
informative
fast-paced
3.75
A heartwarming MG historical fiction book by @jennilwalsh
✈️
It’s 1940 Jody and her military family have moved again to Pearl Harbor. Jody’s not as bothered by the move because she has her dog, Happy, to keep her company. Jody’s anxiety over air raid drills and Yellow Fever vaccinations are put on the back burner when she starts working on Operation: Happy. Her dog is slowing down and Jody wants to do fun things with Happy while they can. When her worst fears come true and Pearl Harbor is attacked, Jody’s father has to stay behind while Jody, her sister and mother will evacuate to San Francisco. When Jody’s mom becomes depressed her new worry is that Jody and her sister will end up in an orphanage.
🐶
I adored this novel. The characters’ voices were so strong and reading the dog’s POV is always one of my favorite things (the dog is going to be okay!). This one doesn’t have too much content about the devastation that Pearl Harbor experienced so if you’re worried it might be too much for your reader, fear not. This story is based on real people and places during the entrance of US into WWII so middle grade students will enjoy it. Make sure to have them read the Author’s Note at the end. This title releases April 2!
CW: death, depression, war (theme)
3.75 ⭐️ very wholesome
✈️
It’s 1940 Jody and her military family have moved again to Pearl Harbor. Jody’s not as bothered by the move because she has her dog, Happy, to keep her company. Jody’s anxiety over air raid drills and Yellow Fever vaccinations are put on the back burner when she starts working on Operation: Happy. Her dog is slowing down and Jody wants to do fun things with Happy while they can. When her worst fears come true and Pearl Harbor is attacked, Jody’s father has to stay behind while Jody, her sister and mother will evacuate to San Francisco. When Jody’s mom becomes depressed her new worry is that Jody and her sister will end up in an orphanage.
🐶
I adored this novel. The characters’ voices were so strong and reading the dog’s POV is always one of my favorite things (the dog is going to be okay!). This one doesn’t have too much content about the devastation that Pearl Harbor experienced so if you’re worried it might be too much for your reader, fear not. This story is based on real people and places during the entrance of US into WWII so middle grade students will enjoy it. Make sure to have them read the Author’s Note at the end. This title releases April 2!
CW: death, depression, war (theme)
3.75 ⭐️ very wholesome
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