This is a historical fiction without feeling like trauma 24/7. It does a good job of presenting what it is like to be a part of a military family during times of war. It does discuss Pearl Harbor with some details. I do think some others do it better, but I think this really gives an idea of how it impacted the daily lives of people. This does a good job of showing what it is like to deal with absent parents or parents dealing with mental health issues. The dog inclusion is sweet- kids will like the chapters from his POV. I think this could work well as a read aloud for upper elementary/lower middle

This was such a heart warming story about a girl and her dog during WWII. I loved the dual POVs of 12 year old Jody and her dog, Happy. Although the narrators were good I didn’t feel like they made the story better and I think I would have preferred to read the physical book. But my kids and I both really enjoyed this story and learning more about this time in history. I loved Jody and Happys relationship and their lists. I felt like the author did a great job at dealing with tough subjects like the bombing of Pearl Harbor, deployment of a parent, and depression. Definitely recommend this as a family read aloud.

The audiobook for Operation Happy is very well done and engaging. The author's note is a wonderful addition as the reader learns that the story is based on a real girl who went through the events at Pearl Harbor.
The different voices are distinctive enough that the characters are brought to life.
The chapters from Happy, the senior retired military dog's point if view are narrated by a male voice in 3rd person.
The story is quite tense and stressful and this emotion is very well communicated by the narrator's performance.
The author makes sure to let the reader know that the dog will not die which is helpful and much appreciated by those who are more sensitive readers but there are some other events that occur that are of a sensitive nature.
Overall it is a wonderfully done audiobook.

Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read it!

This was a unique perspective of the difficult times surrounding WW2. Following a young girl in a military family from the lead up to the bombing of Pearl Harbor all the way through the months after the USA entered the war brought many scary moments for the main character who despite all the stuff happening in the world just wanted to be a kid. The connection to Happy the dog with the chapters from his perspective really pulled this story together.

Audio format 🎧. This is a middle grade historical fiction book about WWII and the attack on Pearl Harbour. Despite the content this was a fantastic and charming book.

What I liked:
Narration was excellent!
Alternating points of view from Happy the dog and the main character
Age appropriate telling of the horrific story of Pearl Harbour
The two plots of escaping from Hawaii and the Happy the dog plot wove together wonderfully.

Warnings (there’s nothing I didn’t like about this book but a few warnings)
The content of this book could be too much for the intended audience. The talk of war and bombs etc might not be right for all readers. Additionally the mother experiences depression/PTSD and there is also an assault referenced. While all of this is told with age appropriate tones I feel it could be triggering or not appropriate for sensitive middle graders

I give this book a 5/5.

Thanks to Net Galley and Zonderkidz for providing me with the audio version of this book!

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! This is based on a true life experiences.

I had the great opportunity to read this book and then listen to the book as an audiobook. I really enjoyed this book, but I really loved listening to it! It truly made the story come alive. I recommend book and audiobook! Can’t wait to share both!

My diathermy and I started listening to this at bedtime. We had to quickly change that routine though because she never wanted to stop listening. A great book to help kids enjoy historical fiction. As a librarian historical fiction is often looked over. This book will be a hit with kids especially dog lovers. Great information and entertaining story.

When I was younger I didn’t gravitate to middle grade HF. Now that I’m 38 I gobble them up! Books like Operation: Happy I could totally see my younger self being intrigued by… I mean come on chapter perspectives from a Dog! Yes! Please!

Jody and her military family move to Fort Island in Oahu. Jody feels safe especially when her friend/dog Happy is by her side. She notices her mom is acting out of character, almost nervous. Jody starts to get worried when they start training on the island in case of an event. Once the bombing takes place… Jody is prepared… but not for what’s to come after the fact.

I really enjoyed getting the perspective of a Marines daughter (Jody) and her pup (Happy) The author shy away from the tragedy families went through… constantly moving around, war, being split up from family members, and the heartache it brings. With the sadness she was able to give the reader hope and a few laughs which I think with this type of a novel is a skill.

The authors note shares that Operation: Happy is loosely based on true experiences. Which makes the story even more impactful!

Thank you Zonderkidz
Releases 4/2

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I stumbled upon this little gem just in time to request the audio ARC through NetGalley. A big thank you to them and Zonderkidz for making it available. This title is actually based on the real-life experiences of a girl who was on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. Jenni L. Walsh tells her story with the addition of a fictional dog named Happy. Here are five reasons I loved this new title:
🐕We have a tri-color husky mix named Happy. He weighs almost exactly the same amount as the fictional Happy. Our dog is a few years younger and got many walks while I listened to this book.
🐕Jody's dad is a Marine and I am married to a former Marine. Lots of semper fi and other Marine slogans come through in the story.
🐕This book explores the subject of depression. Jody's mom has lots of sad days. How do a preteen and her slightly older sister keep the family on track with their dad overseas and mom on the couch?
🐕The Pearl Harbor setting -- with fewer and fewer people alive who remember that day, books like this are so important!
🐕Operation: Happy helps Jody cope with the many upsetting events occurring around her. One of my favorites was her determination to collect the most tin for the school drive -- to help end the war.

If you are a fan of authors like Kate DiCamillo, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, this is the book for you.

This book is the most beautiful thing. It broke my heart, it made me so anxious, but it made me meet Jodi, such a brave and amazing girl! Happy is the best dog in the world! I would recommend it to my students, of course taking into account the triggers involved, which were more impactful than I expected

Thank you netgalley for an advanced ARC of this middle grade audiobook

This is a story about a child and her dog during the battle of world war 2 pearl harbour

This story was adorable as well as showing how hard it was during this time, but how the love a child has for a dog helps with her strength...

I think this is a good story put in a way children can understand about how times change and circumstances out of control (war, depression, loneliness etc) shapes and forms people , the eyes of children are innocent so they try to see the best but also children are effected by everything that happens especially when it comes to the ones close to them.

Was highly enjoyable to listen to and thr chapters with the dog talking are adorable

This story is both beautiful and sad. WWII was....a lot for a lot of people. This is a pov I'd never read before about a girl who lived through the bombing in Pearl Harbor.
It was sad that her family was so.....upset and traumatized by events that they just couldn't cope. Poor girl had to deal with things kids shouldn't have to worry about. She had to be a parent to herself and her older sister, had to find help for her family all on her own while fearing she'd have to be taken away from her mother 🥺
But while she dealt with school, moves, family issues and consequences of war she didn't give up hope. She still wanted to see the best in people, still loved her family, and still took care of her furry best friend.
Such a heartwarming and eye opening story. It's ok to seek help, especially as a parent. We should always put our kids well being first.
Sweet story of family and I loved seeing them grow. Really enjoyed this book and the heavy topics it tackles while still keeping it age appropriate and not to dark 😊

Just in time for the month of the military child. The story may be from the point of view of a dog and a little girl but the gravity of the emotions and the psychology is there. The author made sure that there are some subtle hints of PTSD in all the characters. The FMC is a military dependent (child) and through her we can see how the war has affected everyone in her family.
It is always good to read books that are historical fictions and this is bringing a good pov too. War through a child’s eyes.
I am glad too that right off the bat the author wrote that the dog wasn’t killed. So that makes me happy. **laughing**

Operation Happy was an engaging audiobook suitable for Middle School kids who are interested in history, animals and realistic fiction. The dual narration for Jody and Happy her dog were spot on. I enjoyed that the dog had his own voice and his part of the story included so many details from a dog's perspective. The characters were developed in a meaningful way that did not seem overly drawn out and descriptive but just part of the story that allowed for lots of visualizing. The novel is fast paced to keep the reader's/listener's attention and this was achieved in part by the short chapters. Considering this is a story about a girl and her dog one might expect there to me a sad ending for Happy but that was not the case.

This novel/audiobook would be the perfect addition to any Middle Grader's personal, school or public library. This audiobook is expected to be released April 2, 2024. Run time 4 hours 54 minutes.


Thank you to Net Galley, Jenni Walsh and, Zonderkidz for the opportunity to preview this audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.

The review would not publish to Goodreads directly from this page so I manually posted it here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6379795716

Inspired by the real life of Joan Zuber Earle, this historical fiction tale of a girl living through the moments and aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor is now on my must-read list for Middle Grade readers.

This book doesn’t pull any punches or gloss over any hard situations and emotions, but it gives hope to the reader that courage, resourcefulness, and a pinch of happiness can get you through the hardest of times, but that it’s also ok to ask for help when things are too big.

I will definitely be buying a copy for my own kids as well as some for friends when this is released!

Thanks Zonderkids and NetGalley for the ALC!

Audio Book 4 h 54 m

Narrated by Gail Shalan and Brian Holden

While I was first attracted by the cover of the dog and his girl, the history buff/major/teacher in me was psyched to see the topic. Not only WWII but the Pearl Harbor attack through the eyes of a young girl who had to grow up much too fast. Happy the dog helped her along the way, living up to the motto he'd adhered to as a Marine sentry dog to protect and always be faithful. He'd come to live with Jody and her family after being retired but Jody's family is a Marine family, too. Bottom line, to them, especially Jody, that means they're all Marines and bound to do their duty. She finds out just how difficult that can be as the story progresses, battleship row is bombed, and her family is split up. Inspired by a true story, I found it a slow start but an excellent intro to not just the historic event but warfare's impact on all caught up by it, then and now.

I had the audio version and, quite frankly, I think I'd recommend to teachers that they do their best to get hold of an audio version of this. The narrators do an excellent job of conveying the often wildly swinging emotions and Jody's fear and panic during the bombing is chilling. Kudos to the narrators, of which there are two. The male voice is used for male voices and Happy's thoughts and reactions, ranging from a trip to the vet to helping his humans to shelter and protecting them from harm.

Needless to say, dog lover that I am, I was relieved to see the author's note at the start that no harm would come to Happy. That was a relief. I honestly didn't pay attention but I believe all the chapter changes were announced in the Jody voice, her tone mirroring the mood as she shared the chapter title/focus. As noted, after a relatively slow start, the plot moved along nicely, including humor to break up some of the more intense, uncomfortable scenes. You'll love Happy, that's for sure, as he shines in his golden years and proves his worth over and over. Honestly, I felt like I knew Happy better than the humans, especially wishing we'd gotten a peek at Peggy's diary. Jody's thoughts are the narrative that moves the story along, including having to deal with new places and schools, including snotty classmates, and the sudden realization that even Japanese-Americans were suffering due to nothing they'd done. You'll also root for Jody's mom, who faces challenges Jody can only guess at.

Bottom line, an excellent read/listen and one history/social studies teachers in particular should have available. Thanks #NetGalley and #Zonderkids for sharing this peek listen with me. It fed both my dog and history loving soul. Dog lovers will enjoy the premise of Operation Happy while learning some of our more painful history in the process. 4.5/5