We follow a girl named Jody and her dog Happy.
The story begins with Jody's family moving to Pearl Harbor. We see the whole family getting to know their new home, doing well when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. Jody, her sister, mother and Happy have to leave their new home, but her father has to stay. The book continues by with Jody (and her family) trying to deal with it all.

Definitely enjoyable read, but at times felt bit too dark for middle grade, so please check trigger warnings if you want your child to read this.

(Definitely going to check other books by this author.)

A heartwarming story which documents the difficulties of experiencing war as a child. The story made me smile and cry, and I will definitely recommend it to some of my younger students and have a physical copy in the class room. Thank you for allowing me to read this early digital copy.

Operation: Happy
A World War II Story of Courage, Resilience, and an Unbreakable Bond
by Jenni L Walsh
Pub Date 02 Apr 2024
Zonderkidz
Children's Fiction| Historical Fiction


Netgalley and Zonderkidz sent me Operation: Happy to review:


During World War II, a girl tries to keep her family together by completing a bucket list with her dog Happy, who happens to be her best friend.


In 1940, Jody and her family are moving again, this time to a small naval base in Pearl Harbor. With Hawaii being so beautiful and her loyal dog Happy by her side, it's easy to find things to add to her "top ten" list every time she moves.


Jody's mom, though, is convinced the island is dangerous and practices first aid constantly. Jody also learns Happy is getting older and slowing down. In order to cope, she makes a list of fun things they can do together. She can focus on "Operation: Happy" instead of scary new experiences like air raid drills.



Soon, everyone's worst fears come true: Pearl Harbor is attacked. As the rest of the family evacuates, Jody's dad stays behind, and she promises him she'll keep everyone together. It's hard in San Francisco, where she feels like an outsider. Jody worries that she and her sister will have to go to an orphanage because her mom is depressed. With Happy by her side, Jody hatches a brave plan to keep the family safe... Will Operation: Happy help?


I give Operation Happy five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

I have cried for this book... Thats was sad, emotional, hopefull... Loved it but it broke my heart...

I enjoyed this historical novel set during World War II from a perspective I have not read about before. Jody and her family move often as her father is in the military. This time they have landed in beautiful Hawaii with a view of Pearl Harbor. As tensions increase in Europe during the war, Jody feels like her family won't be affected by the fighting since they are so far away. That all changes as they begin practicing black out and air raid drills. Finally, we reach the day December 7, 1941 and the tragedy and terror that takes place is like nothing the family has dealt with before. Despite the confusion and fear, Jody has a great companion in her dog, Happy. Happy knows when Jody is stressed, when she is happy, and when she needs someone to comfort her. His great personality and support of the family helps make the move away from her father to San Francisco more bearable. While the family is still dealing with different hardships in California, Jody grows an incredible amount and learns when it is time to ask for help. I enjoyed the characters in the story, especially that amazing dog, and watching the family members be better and overcome their struggles to embrace life again. I would recommend this book to any historical fiction fan, to all the animal lovers, and to anyone who needs an inspirational story about hope, family, compassion, and personal growth.

Historical Fiction AND about a dog?! Although it's middle grade, I instantly knew this book was for me. Oh how I wish this book had been around when I was younger.

This story if focused on a little girl named Jody who is part of a military family and her loyal dog, Happy who is also retired from the military. When they move to Ford Island in Oahu life is good. Everything about living in Hawaii is fun and new and Jody believes her and her family are safe from the war even though Mom seems quite nervous here. Little by little events starts happening to train Ford Island just in case. Sirens, plans of action and dungeons soon become routine. Once the bombing takes place Jody and Happy know exactly what to do, but that doesn't change the fact that their lives are heavily impacted and changed forever.

To keep safe Jody, Happy, her sister and mother must leave her father behind and move to San Francisco. Mom has turned into "Sad Mom" and her sister struggles to leave their sub-par apartment. Jody becomes the leader of Team Zuber. It's a lot for a little girl to take on while also dealing with a new teacher's pet at her new school. With Happy by her side, Jody is able to overcome so many obstacles and it truly is a story of resilience and finding silver linings during such a trying time.

The author's note at the end made everything that much sweeter letting us know this is loosely based off of a true story. I think this book is a wonderful stepping stone for young readers into the historical fiction and World War II era. I will 100% be purchasing the physical copy of this book for my daughter and niece to enjoy.

Pub. date: April 2, 2024
Thank you ZonderKidz and NetGalley for my copy!

Jodi gets her wish-a dog. Happy to be exact. Happy was a sentry dog for the base, until he started to lose his eyesight. Jodi and Happy start their life together at Pearl Harbor, until is it attacked. Then Jodi, her sister Peggy & eventually their mom move to the mainland. Happy is there to help Jodi through some tough times-unsafe living arrangements, Mom’s depression, problems at school to name a few. Through it all, Happy is there!

I really enjoyed this book. I was glad I was given the opportunity to read it. I can’t wait to share it when it is released!

My daughters and I adored this story.
Operation follows the daughter of a military man and her dog during World War II.

Jody is used to the constantly change life as a military family. With her dog Happy by her side, she learns to find the happy where ever she is.

The latest move to Pearl Harbour, seems a bit different and unrest in Europe could potentially change their lives.

The book has dual POV, Jody and the dog Happy, an ageing, ex-service dog who seems to be losing his vision.

The story was fantastic and the historical fiction tied in nicely with other things we have been learning about WWII.

Highly, highly recommend

Middle grade historical fiction. A stormy that makes for a good follow up or introduction to learning about WW2 . As a homeschool family I love to grab a historical novel to accompany our history sections. The story tackles some big topics (depression and anxiety, and realities of war) in a realistic way but also in a sweet way because our MC finds a bond with Happy that helps get her through those terrible times. Happy’s POV is kinda odd because it’s not always clear and I’m not a huge fan of animals being a character that talks. But I know my younger kids enjoy it.

I read this book aloud to my eleven-year-old daughter. We both loved Happy and Jody as main characters and related to Jody's personality. She's tough and stubborn but also vulnerable and scared (with good reason). I've read a few different books about World War 2, and I feel like this one does a good job of discussing what the children living on Ford Island during the attack on Pearl Harbor might have experienced.

SPOILER ALERT/TRIGGER WARNINGS:

When we finished, my daughter was quick to express her enjoyment of the story. While I also felt the book was well-written and the story compelling, as a parent there were a few triggers in the book that I wish I would have known about. First of all, the attack on Pearl Harbor throws Jody's mother into a state of shock and she doesn't function at all for a good portion of the book, leaving Jody and her sister to fend for themselves in a new city. While I know this might be entirely accurate, it did make me nervous as a parent that deals with depression because I felt it was taken too far for the mother's character. I wouldn't want my child reading this and thinking that just because something bad happened that she wouldn't be able to depend on me as a parent to take care of her and her siblings.

Secondly, there is a scene toward the end of the book where Jody's older sister is accosted in the lobby of their apartment building. As an adult and someone who personally knows survivors of sexual assault, reading about Jody's perception of this scene disturbed me greatly. While the author never calls this sexual assault, that conclusion is one many readers would come too. I don't think that is where my daughter's mind went because she is a very innocent eleven-year-old, and I think that books like this can serve as good conversation starters about stranger danger, I do wish the author had picked a different scenario to move the plot forward. This might not be as big of a deal to other readers, but it did lessen my enjoyment of the book. A book about Pearl Harbor is traumatic enough; parental abandonment and assault didn't need to add to that.

That said, I loved Happy. I loved how Jody found ways to conquer her fears and discovered how truly strong she could be, as well as learning that it is okay to ask for help when you need it. I especially enjoyed all of the parts about life on Ford Island (the mango war--loved that chapter!). The Attack on Pearl Harbor scenes were extremely well handled, vivid yet appropriate for a middle grade audience.

A thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 3.5 stars, rounded up.

Oh, my goodness, I just couldn’t put it down. Completely and utterly absorbed in this captivating story. I love historical fiction, yet this story is the first I’ve read of World War II set outside Great Britain.

Happy is a retired Marine dog, re-homed upon his retirement, with a fellow marine family at the time of Pearl Harbour. Happy spends his days with Jody the youngest member of the Zuber Family, playing or waiting for outside the onsite school house. Happy recalls his role has a serving marine and puts in place the same ethos in his role within the Zuber Family. But, when Pearl Harbour is struck and the family separated, it’s Jody and Happy that serve to protect and care for the family.

It’s a moving story of resilience, courage and friendship, which gives an insight into life for young Jody at the time, just prior to and following the Pearl Harbour air strikes. Jody, based on a real life character and her experiences, is a brave and determined “marine” that you can’t help but wish to succeed. Beautifully written with heart and compassion, Operation:Happy will be a fabulous read for any animal lover, fan of historical fiction and a great resource for schools.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zonderkidz for the opportunity to read this fabulous book ahead of publication.

A beautiful story, based on the true experiences of a girl and her dog. Living on Ford island in Oahu when Pearl Harbor was bombed would be unbelievably traumatizing.
If your dad, your hero, was heavily involved - it would make it even harder. Having to move away and leave him there- would add stress and emotion to everyone involved.
It does. Her mom is there with her physically only, her sister is dealing with her own worries- it is up to Jody and her sidekick Happy to keep them going.
Everyone needs a sidekick who knows and understand them. For Jody- it's her dog. For Happy- it's his girl. The dual POV's add such a sweet touch.
This is written in a gentle way for younger friends to understand the horrors of war on a level that won't be too distressing.
"At times, my sister can be loud, annoying, even a bully.
But she can also be my ally. We survived the mango war together, after all. It looks like we may need to survive San Francisco together too."
"Operation: Happy may ve gotten off track, but I see it now. I look at my boy. I have an idea, an idea not meant to fix anything, something that we can do together that is only about us having fun and being happy together."

A story for dog lovers who love to read historical fiction! I would say this book is more for preteen/teenagers.

Happy a devoted dog of Jody. The story is set at Pearl Harbor suring WWII and throught the view of Jody and Happy the dog. It shows you war but from a child's perspective, although not in a way in which could frighten a child.

When I started this book I wasn't sure and found the beginning a little slow but I'm glad I continued as this book is an inspiring, educational and powerful read which I will be recommending to others especially parents I know.

Happy is a sentry dog, but when his holder is retired, he has a new owner: a twelve year old girl called Jody. Happy's eyesight is weakening, while she's approaching her golden years. Jody is used to live from place to place, according to where her naval officer father was ordered to go. And amidst all the confusion and unsettling feeling of the ever changing circumstances, Happy is, for Jody, her solid rock, the stability she longs for.

The story opens with the Zuber family (Dad, Mom, Jody, and her older sister Peggy) and Happy on board a ship towards their new abode in US Naval base at Ford Island, in Honolulu, Hawaii. The fast changing environment causes Jody to feel a little shy and nervous. But she is a resourceful and optimistic girl. To overcome it, she has started a best-of-list for every place she had lived in. Right now she's starting Fort Island list. The list starts sunny and cheerful, but Jody also notices her mother's growing nervousness.

The first sign that WW2 is touching America is when the siren began to wail. Then air raids and hiding in the bunker became almost a routine, until the Pearl Harbour attack. It was during these terrifying moments that Jody's character shines through. Her father judged her correctly by making Jody the leader of Team Zuber, while he's fighting for the country. Happy is constantly on guard during these attacks, he knows the way to the bunker, and always make sure that his girl, and Peggy, and Mom are save.

I love everything about this book. It's alternately funny and heartwarming, sad and cheerful. Sometimes the story is told from Happy's point of view, and these are my favorite. Happy's eyesight might be weak, but not his nose. He can smell Jody's nervousness - it smells bitter like broccoli - and her smile smells like vanilla. And of course, I love Jody. She's brave and resilient, and I admire her for taking adult responsibility almost without a flinch, and always humble on taking compliments. All in all, it's a lovely, heartwarming coming-of-age historical fiction about a dog and his girl's hopeful and courageous journey during one of the darkest moments in history.

I absolutely adored this book. Jenni Walsh has the ability to bring history to life and with the addition of Happy, an adorable dog point-of-view, history also becomes relatable and less intimidating. Have a student who wants to know more about World War II but is anxious about the content? This is the book for them. Heartwarming and empowering . . . a total gem that belongs on every middle-grade library shelf!

The first half of this book was pretty slow. It took too long to get to Dec. 7, 1941. Some chapters are told from Happy's point-of-view which was a little confusing at first. The writing style is a little simplistic and stilted even for this age group. I didn't feel emotionally invested in the story, not even when the bombs fell. The second half of the novel is much better and more original. It deals with some tough topics like mental health, sexual assault and orphanages. The plot is more cohesive and I couldn't stop reading until I found out what happened.

I was a little worried about Happy in the first section. He's cute or he tries to be anyway. He's big and hairy so people tend to be afraid of him. Happy is a devoted guardian of young Jody and once a Marine, always a Marine. He knows his duty and is determined to do it no matter what. I didn't connect with Jody even though I understand all too well how it feels to love an old dog and know, in your head, you have limited time together, but wanting forever. Jody is a tough kid. She was raised as a Marine and considers herself a Marine. She does her duty and rarely gets emotional. She takes all the responsibility on her own shoulders. Jody seems to have some anxiety though, especially in Hawaii. She's heard the talk of war even though Germany is so far away. She hears talk about the Japanese and is scared of the dungeon where everyone hides when air raid sirens go off. She works on her fears with Happy and together they are a strong team. Jody keeps it together when it counts though. She's just an unnatural, adult like child and I didn't love her. Jody's sister Peggy is older by a year and a half. She's not more mature though, just more normal. Peggy has crushes on boys and tries to keep up with her peers. She doesn't bear the responsibilities her younger sister does. Peggy works out her own anxieties in her diary but we don't get inside her head to know what she's really thinking or feeling.

The parents are just awful. Dad is career military. He doesn't have a choice but to move around. He's kind enough and wants what is best for his family while keeping them happy. He could be worse but he does place a lot of responsibility on Jody. She's barely 12 at the time of the attack! The mom seems to have mental health issues. She either had some kind of prophetic dream, has seen the future or knows more than anyone else because her fears about the island are all very real. Of course the reader will know that (hopefully) but the characters do not. Mrs. Zuber also seems to be depressed in the days, weeks and months following the attacks. It's very sad for the children because she can't function like a normal parent. She's terrified and lonely, missing her husband. I can't even imagine going through that and having anxiety and depression on top of that fear and loneliness. I think Dad could have left the family behind in San Diego in the first place. The girls would have their school routine and friends and Mom would be less anxious. Alternately, Mom would be more anxious worrying about Dad but she doesn't want to go to Ford Island. There's indication of family they can go to temporarily too.

In the second half of the novel, Jody makes a new friend. Sara knows life. She's had a tough time too and like Jody, is traumatized by life experiences. The teacher, Mrs. Myers, is not sympathetic and doesn't know how to help these girls. She simply doesn't know or understand what they've been through. Sara tells it like it is. She's trying to be a good friend and help Jody and her advice is good but Jody has more options and should have contacted Dad sooner.

The author's note says this book is based on a true story The Children of Battleship Row: Pearl Harbor 1940-41. I haven't read this non-fiction account. I have read a couple of books for this age group about Pearl Harbor and my favorite has Hawaiian culture woven throughout the story. With Jody's narrow focus of the military base, it lacked that charm and connection to Hawaii itself.

’For dog lovers everywhere.
(‘Don’t worry, Happy is going to be okay.)

This is the story of a family, a husband who is in the military, a wife and two young girls, and a dog named Happy. Happy enters their lives, or more specifically Jody’s, the younger of their two daughters whose Christmas list begins with #1: a dog. A dog whose name is Happy.

Not long after, their lives are uprooted as the war is beginning to impact American families, especially military families like theirs. Their family is sent to the naval base in Pearl Harbor. For a while, it is idyllic, the weather lovely, and quite a different way of life from their home back in the states.

Although nothing much has changed since they’ve moved there, their mother, who wasn’t a big fan of moving there, believes that they might be in danger.

Jody, on the other hand, seems to love the island, although she is beginning to worry about Happy, as she knows that Happy is beginning to show his age. She tries to think of things they can do together that won’t push him too hard and make things worse.

As time passes there isn’t much to worry about, until one day all of the drills they’d been through weren’t just drills. Pearl Harbor was being attacked. As families were being evacuated in the aftermath, including Jody’s, her father needed to stay. They return to the states, this time to San Francisco. It is hard on them all, but their mother seems to be taking it the hardest. The two girls are, essentially, left to fend for themselves.

This story is based on real people and places, and while Happy is not part of the original story it’s based on, I think Happy added a lot of comfort and charm to this story.


Pub Date: 02 Apr 2024

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Zonderkidz

A compelling histfic middle grade story told through the POVs of Jody, daughter of a Marine at Pearl Harbor during WWII, and her dog Happy, a retired Marine canine losing his sight. Readers 8-12 will learn about the war in a non-traumatizing way, buffered by Walsh’s thoughtful writing and the presence of a much-loved pet.

I’m struggling to get into this book, I haven’t yet pinpointed what the issue is so will return to it in a few days and try again. I will update the review when I do.

Book Review 📚
Operation: Happy by Jenni L. Walsh - 4.5/5 ⭐

Couldn't put it down. Both me and my son utterly devoured this book in a single day. It was so beautifully written, great story line and a big fluffy dog to help get you through!

The whole book has a strong story around the unfortunate events of Pearl Harbour. It's quite clear to see that the introduction of "Happy" our big, friendly dog, is to ease the pain and unsettling of theme based around Pearl Harbour. It's hard to think of real life history being so strong and heartbreaking but Walsh put it into words to beautifully that it not only becomes a history lesson but also the lesson in love and friendship.

My son has nonstop pestered me for a dog since reading this book (6 days ago!) And the emotional soul that he is, definitely had a cry a quite a few of the scenes. There's great description and detail and the story line was so well written. I can't wait to see what Walsh does next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zonderkidz for allowing me to read this ARC - this is an HONEST review from my own personal opinion.