Set on a U.S. Air Force base in North Carolina, Operation Yes is an insightful middle-grade novel that explores the lives of military families through the eyes of sixth graders navigating times of change and uncertainty.
The story follows Bo Whaley, an energetic and somewhat mischievous boy whose father is the base commander. His life at school takes a surprising turn with the arrival of a new teacher, Miss Loupe, who shakes things up with an unconventional approach to learning. Instead of traditional lessons, she introduces the students to improvisational theater, using a section of the room called the “Taped Space” to encourage the use of one’s imagination and the power of inclusion.
Things get more complicated when Bo’s cousin, Gari, arrives to live with him while her mother is deployed to Iraq. Gari is guarded and reluctant to adjust, but like the rest of the class, she slowly becomes drawn into Miss Loupe’s unique teaching style. When Miss Loupe faces a personal crisis, the students are inspired to take action. Together, they create “Operation Yes,” a campaign that blends their newfound love of performance with a heartfelt mission: raising funds and awareness for wounded veterans.
Through numerous perspectives, the novel captures the struggles and strength of kids whose lives are shaped by the realities of military service: frequent moves, long separations, and the emotional toll of war. Holmes strikes a thoughtful balance between humor and honesty, showing how even the smallest acts of kindness and creativity can lead to meaningful change.
Extend your Learning:
Ask Questions:
Use these comprehension questions with your kids or students to build their literacy skills!
- What makes Miss Loupe a unique teacher? How does she run her classroom differently?
- How do Bo and Gari change over the course of the story? What events help them grow?
- How does the book portray the experience of children in military families?
- Can you relate to any of the characters in the book? Why or why not?
- What message does the book send about community and taking action?
- If you were part of “Operation Yes,” what kind of project would you want to do to make a difference?
Discover More:
Kids Rank is an organization that works to engage military-connected children in hands-on, skill building programming, projects, and volunteer opportunities designed to encourage their core pillars of connect, lead, and serve. Operating out of Illinois, they also have a partnership with Piven Theatre that provides youth with a sense of stability through interactive group learning experiences in a theatre setting.
— If you are interested in learning more about Kids Rank, visit their website at this link: Nonprofit Program For Military Children | Kids Rank.
— If you would like to learn more about Piven Theatre and the partnership, visit this link: Kids Rank – Piven Theatre – Empowering Military Children with Theatre.
Perform!
Want to try a fun theatre game? Freeze is an improvisational game where two or more performers start a scene doing anything that they come up with. Examples include walking a dog, driving in a car, or spending a day at the beach. Then, someone outside of the scene yells, “Freeze,” causing all players on the stage to stop what they are doing in whatever pose they ended. The person who yelled then taps someone they want to exit, assume their position, and begin a new scene based on that position. All other performers involved adjust to the new conditions. This activity can be done anywhere and amongst people of all ages.
For Military Families:
Are you part of a military family? NVMM wants to share your story to help others understand the experience and perspective of military family members. Add your voice to the NVMM Story Collection by recording a conversation with a friend or family member about your experience growing up in a military family. Get started here: https://nationalvmm.org/education/nvmm-story-collection/
Explore Your Local Library:
If you are one of our central Ohio neighbors, check out the book at your local branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library where the book is available. Then come to the NVMM and learn more about unique Veteran stories that can be found throughout American History.
