Operation: Happy - by Jenni L Walsh

Jody lived with her mom, dad, sister Peggy, and her dog Happy, on The Pearl Harbor Military Base in Hawaii. It is 1941. All the battleships are docked directly across from her house. It is an idyllic time for Jody, Peggy, and Happy. Island living is fun, and so is their school, and the kids. Everybody likes it but her mom, who did not want to move there. Then one Sunday morning, as they are getting ready for church, the base is attacked. As they run for their lives, planes with unknown emblems dip low out of the sky, and shoot at them. After the attack, they find their house is covered with holes, not from bullets, but from the explosions which caused all the nails to pop out. Their lives are never the same. First, Jody and Peggy are sent to another part of Hawaii to live. Then the girls and their mother go to live in San Francisco, but without their dad. They had to adjust to a new school, and an apartment in a dangerous part of town. Worst of all, their mother started acting strange--she is forgetful, and sleeps constantly. Having Happy with them helps, and somehow the girls manage, until Peggy is attacked. Based on a true story, this is a fascinating account that even includes the dog's point of view! Surprisingly, there was some war preparation before the attack, but it was very little. This is a real page-turner. Children will enjoy reading about what other youngsters did when their world changed. It will give them hope that life can go on. "Operation Happy," is recommended for ages nine through fourteen. It will depend on each child to know when they are ready to read a story about war. Descriptions are not graphic, but do contain information about what happens. This is a 5+ star story that I highly recommend. You will be glad you got it! Thank you, Zonderkidz, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.