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"Part memoir, part historical fiction, this book is a must-read for tweens..."
WALSH, Jenni L. Operation: Happy: A World War II Story of Courage, Resilience, and an Unbreakable Bond. 240p. Zonderkidz. Apr. 2024. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780310159261. Gr 4-7–Set during the early stages of World War II, this account is told by 12-year-old Jody Zuber and her dog Happy. They come together on Christmas Day 1938 after Happy retires from battle service as a Marine canine. He is losing his eyesight at a time when Jody is starting to see the world for what it really is in her military family. In 1940, her mother is anxious about her father’s posting in Pearl Harbor when the Zubers move to live on Ford Island in barracks housing. Thus begins “Operation: Happy,” a 10-point plan designed to guide Happy through his golden years. This list steadily grows as Jody and Happy weather air raid drills, vaccinations, and, ultimately, the events of December 7, 1941. When all but Sergeant Zuber relocate to San Francisco after the Pearl Harbor attack, Jody does not see her active-duty father until the war’s end. Walsh’s novel depicts the family’s stateside experiences starkly. As Jody’s mom struggles with depression and her sister becomes more distant, Operation: Happy transforms into Jody’s plan to keep the Zuber family together. Part memoir, part historical fiction, this book is a must-read for tweens who are learning about this important piece of U.S. history. This is a poignant coming-of-age tale about military life, family, and friendship. Readers will be inspired by Jody’s effort to put on a brave face and touched by Happy’s love as they journey through difficult times with humor and tears. VERDICT: Fans of Jenni L. Walsh will not let this book sit on library shelves for long. –Sharon Sherman "An immersive work that’s full of heart and emotion."
OPERATION: HAPPY A World War II Story of Courage, Resilience, and an Unbreakable Bond Author: Jenni L. Walsh Review Issue Date: June 15, 2024 Online Publish Date: May 17, 2024 Publisher:Zonderkidz Pages: 229 Price ( Hardcover ): $18.93 ISBN ( Hardcover ): 9780310159261 Section: Children's Inspired by real-life experiences, this is the tale of a white girl and her dog who experience life in Honolulu during World War II. With 12-year-old Jody’s dad being a Marine, she’s moved a lot. Her two constants in life have been Happy, her “German shepherd-collie-husky mix,” and Team Zuber, her family, consisting of Dad, Mom, and older sister, Peggy. In October 1940, when they relocate to Ford Island in Pearl Harbor, Jody becomes uneasy about her mom’s nervousness over being so near the battleships and about the war in Europe. After the vet says that Happy is in his golden years, Jody creates Operation: Happy, a list of fun new things they can do together. When the realities of war creep into their daily lives, the list becomes Jody’s way of coping with her fears. Then, on December 7, 1941, everything changes when bombs fall around them. Evacuated to San Francisco and separated from Dad, Jody and Happy use the list to find the courage they need to adjust to their new lives. This story of family, courage, and strength during harrowing times includes chapters told in Jody’s first-person and Happy’s third-person points of view. The raw emotions, which include tense, suspenseful scenes leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor, are lightened by fun, humorous moments. An immersive work that’s full of heart and emotion. (author’s note, discussion questions) (Historical fiction. 9-13) WRITTEN BY JENNI L. WALSH
REVIEW BY J. LYNN ELSE This dual-timeline story follows the lives of Violet Jessop, who in real life survived the maritime disasters of the Olympic, Titanic, and Britannic, and that of Daphne Chaundanson, daughter of a famous actor who becomes an agent for the Special Operations Executive (SOE), French Section, during WWII. The book opens with young Violet, a White Star Line stewardess, preparing for the Titanic’s departure from Southampton Port. Despite her frightening experience on the Olympic, the tips she receives from passengers help support her mother and siblings. Daphne’s story opens in 1942 as she interviews to join a resistance movement. Angered by the Germans’ invasion of her home country, she sets out to break the German oppression. One connecting thread ties these two women, and two wars, together in tragedy. To me, one of the most difficult aspects of writing historical fiction is creating authentic character mindsets, and Walsh captures this aspect beautifully. Daphne is passionate about taking back her country and is modeled upon the experiences of the 39 real-life SOE women. For Violet, the Titanic’s a job. She knows details employees of White Star Line would know, like the proper way to secure a life vest under a coat despite the uncomfortableness of the stiff cork against the body. While history tells us what happened, through Walsh’s compassionate prose, we’re able to feel what happened as well. Sitting in a lifeboat, wrapped in shadows of the night, as a ship groans its last and plunges into the Atlantic to the setting of explosives in a German depot while guard dogs bark close by: these settings feel that much more authentic under Walsh’s deft pen. Unsinkable is a story of courage, resilience, and steering your own course in life. Recommended! Appeared in Issue 107 (February 2024) and online: https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/unsinkable-2/ Author of OPERATION: HAPPY Jenni L. Walsh's THE BUG BANDITS, a story pitched as inspired by true events—the heist of thousands of dollars' worth of rare insects from the Philadelphia Insectarium—in which a young girl and her friends must protect her father's museum from "buglars", using their knowledge of science and some HOME ALONE-type shenanigans, to Katherine Easter at Zonderkidz, for publication in 2025, by Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency (world).
 I'm trying to find the words but I think I'm still a little shocked? Here goes! Unsinkable is an instant USA Today Bestseller!! I'm so grateful. Ever since I began writing my first book in 2011, I dreamed of being able to call myself a bestseller. It may have taken 15 books (3 unpublished/shelved, 12 published) but here I am... finally. And I have all of you to thank for it! I'm seriously so appreciative of all the purchases, shares, downloads, recommendations, posts, shouts, congratulations that went into putting Unsinkable on a bestseller list. Thank you to the USA Today team for placing my little book baby in the top 150 for this week! <3 <3 <3  Booklist Online Exclusive: December 22, 2023
Unsinkable. By Jenni L. Walsh Jan. 2024. 400p. Harper Muse, paper, $17.99 (9781400233946) Walsh’s latest (after The Call of the Wrens, 2022) is a heartfelt tale of two women in two times. Unsinkable joins the ranks of other spy novels written in this vein, but Walsh’s prose truly allows the reader to enter the mind and heart of each character, bringing their motivations, flaws, and desires to light. Violet Jessop begins her story as a stewardess on the Titanic. She survives not just one but three disasters at sea, but she is unable to separate herself from her jobs despite the dangers. Daphne, who has aquaphobia, joins the war efforts in WWII to make her estranged father proud, and finds new reasons to continue her work as part of the French Resistance. Both must decide how those circumstances will shape their futures. Walsh skillfully crafts two well-rounded characters who grapple with internal and external conflict, and yet who honestly earn their resolutions. — Lily Hunter A Betting Woman is out in audiobook today!! 🎉🎉
This book holds a special spot in my heart, a novel about a woman with three names: Simone Jules Eleanor Dumont Madame Moustache When I stumbled upon Eleanor, I couldn't believe a novel had never been told about her, a woman who paved her way in a man's world during the Gold Rush era. It was my complete honor to do so. And now it's so fun to hear Eleanor's story in this new way. I absolutely love how Elisabeth Lagelee brings her to life. I hope you'll check out it out! (Sound on for the first few lines) Order now: Audiobook.com : https://www.audiobooks.com/m-audiobook/a-betting-woman-a-novel-of-madame-moustache/668837?refId=38915 Amazon/Audible: https://a.co/d/aq9XnmZ Kobo audio: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/audiobook/a-betting-woman Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/A_Betting_Woman_A_Novel_of_Madame_Moustache?id=AQAAAEBiTm4OHM&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1 Calling all book influencers! Check out this fun opportunity to read Unsinkable prior to release for those also on Instagram! I was completely blown away by the excitement and support for The Call of the Wrens during last year's Instagram Tour (photo proof!! <3) so.... I'm bringing it back! This time for UNSINKABLE, releasing next Jan! If you'd like to join in the fun, check out this link: https://www.jennilwalsh.com/unsinkable-interest-form.html And a big big thanks to all the amazing book lovers out there who share their love <3
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