By 1940, Jody has lived many places thanks to her dad's military job, but when he is assigned to a naval base in Pearl Harbor, it feels like a different kind of adventure. From the new culture to being able to run barefoot and lounge in the pool, Jody doesn't think she'll have trouble creating a top ten list of her favorite things about her new home, especially with her dog Happy by her side. But it's becoming clear Happy is slowing down. On top of that, Mom worries about the island and wants to leave, which makes Jody wonder if their little paradise isn't as safe from the war as she thought. To cope, Jody begins a new list called Operation: Happy--activities she and Happy can do together to distact her from things like air raid drills and her mom's first aid practice. Then Pearl Harbor is attacked. In the aftermath, everything changes...and when Dad needs to stay behind after the family is evacuated, Jody becomes the leader of her family. However, there's nothing easy about that task, especially when her mom becomes depressed. With Happy's help, Jody comes up with a plan that would keep everyone safe...but will this new Operation: Happy be enough?