"Operation Yes" by Sara Lewis Holmes

Much like "Pay It Forward," this book has a tremendously inspirational tone. The story of young people whose parents are serving active duty, and the young teacher who wakes them up from the everyday life of school, brings many smiles and easy page-turning for the reader. Credit is given to Ms. Holmes for creating real characters, child and adult, that are admirable, flawed and quintessentially human. The tale begins with "Bo" -- a squirrelly sixth grader who gets in trouble for basically being a typical sixth grade boy. His new teacher, Ms. Loupe, not only sees his strengths but shows him how to use them to succeed. Enter Gari, Bo's cousin, who comes to live with Bo's family when her mother is posted to Iraq. The stories of these two kids interweave with those in their class and the adults around them. What could be a jangled mess of storylines and perspectives flows nicely. The lessons of the book hold disparate elements together in a clear picture. The choice to make the protagonists sixth grade is also well thought-out. Sixth grade is a magical tipping point -- they are still little kids but have a burgeoning understanding of the greater world slipping in. Bo and Gari are just beginning to understand the serious underpinnings of the military world around them, but they focus on what they can do to improve things ... and are remarkably successful. The book was a delight to read. It voiced messages I like: "Say Yes and..." to life and "Everyone has their battles." I look forward to meeting the author this Spring.