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.

3.5 stars
Middle-grade historical fiction; this would be a great introduction to the events of Pearl Harbor and America’s entrance into WW2.
Jody and her sister are used to moving around to different places; that’s just part of life when your Dad is a Marine. This time, though, the girls really think they’ve lucked out. Their father has been stationed in Hawaii, at a place with such a beautiful name: Pearl Harbor. Jody and her dog Happy love running on the beach, eating lunch outside at school in the warm sun, even having “mango fights” with schoolmates! The war in Europe seems very far away, and all the battleships in the harbor are lined up and ready to keep America safe. Until December 7, 1941…

Operation: Happy takes a painful piece of our history and deals with it head on. You’ll learn history as well as lessons to help you through the hardest times. And a big fluffy dog to help you through!

Operation Happy by Jenni L Walsh is an inspiring historical children’s novel that I read in just one sitting. It is perfect for ages eight to twelve years, although anyone who loves history would enjoy this book.
The book begins in 1938 but it’s main focus is the terrible events of Pearl Harbour in December 1941. The whole book revolves around this date. The action is seen through the eyes of marine dog Happy, and the daughter of a marine, Jody, whose father is posted to Pearl Harbour in 1940.
This is a powerful read as the war is presented through the eyes of a child. It is written in a way that young readers can understand without absolutely terrifying them. There is just enough detail without being too graphic.
Happy is retired from active marine life when he is given to Jody one Christmas. Happy is losing his 20 20 vision and growing older. His name is very apt. “It’s … near impossible not to look at you [Happy] and smile.” He is a loyal dog whose nature is happy. “It feels like an eternity has passed between saying goodbye to Gordon and hello to Jody.”
Happy takes his responsibilities very seriously. Jenni Walsh has the skill to put herself in Happy’s shoes as we see some events through his eyes. We learn how he is guided by his nose. He can smell fear and he can smell happiness. He also has the ability to instinctively know when something is wrong.
As Happy grows older, Jody wants to make the most of the time he has left. “It’ll be our Happy List, and we’ll make the most of the time we have left together.” Happy’s List also saves his family as it gives Jody something to focus on during the dark days.
The novel is in two parts – leading up to Pearl Harbour and the immediate aftermath; and as refugees in San Fransisco whilst their father remains behind in Pearl Harbour. We witness how hard it is on the family, especially as the mother falls apart. It is up to Jody to keep her family together.
Despite the difficult themes, there are moments of humor. Happy is a big dog, a mixture of several large breeds including Husky. As he gets on a bus, we ‘see’ life as Happy sees it. “He grins. The driver startles. He grins with a little less teeth. That does the trick.” The reader needs this humor to break up the narrative of war.
It is important to realise that not all Japanese were responsible for Pearl Harbour – certainly not the young Japanese maid nor the Japanese American schoolgirl who was interned with her family, after the event.
Operation Happy was a powerful read. It was an inspiring read. It is a book that all children should read in order to know what happened during World War II. I believe it should be part of the English National Curriculum.
I thoroughly enjoyed Operation Happy and I will leave you with my favourite quote:
“As a family that moves a lot, home isn’t a destination, home is wherever we are together.” Wow! So powerful.
I received a free copy via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

Happy is a brave and loyal dog - a retired Marine canine - who provides solace and support to his young owner Jody at a time when she is desperately in need of it. It is 1940 and Jody's life is changing much too quickly.

As the child of a military family, Jodi is used to moving around, so when they initially arrive in Hawaii, she makes a list of interesting activities for that location as she does with every new posting.

But things are not quite the same in this new place, beautiful as Hawaii is. Because with spectre of unsettled times ahead, people are not acting like themselves. For example, Jody's mother is worried that life on the island is dangerous, and has become very preoccupied with first aid training - possibly as a means of allaying her anxiety.

And Jody must also face the fact that happy is no longer as young as before. But implementing the list with her dog will definitely make both of them happier, she decides.

After Japan attacks Pearl Harbour, Jody's father must stay behind in Hawaii while the rest of the family relocates to San Francisco. Now her mother seems to be acting even stranger, and Jody worries about what will happen to them if she cannot take care of her kids. Under the circumstances, can Jody's plans with Happy actually continue to ensure her own happiness?

This is a touching story that will be enjoyed by history buffs and dog lovers alike. Jody's plight is moving, not least because this book is based on a true story. And Happy is a delight from beginning to end!

What a sweet story of Jody and her dog Hapoy during WW11. I usually don’t acquire Children’s books as cub, but the beautiful cover just stood out and I loved the message and story this particular book represents.