Operation Oleander

Operation Oleander

Carrying out an act of kindness, even with the best of
intentions, can lead to very tragic unintended consequences.
Complications and politics can accrue at a dizzying speed until it can
be difficult to know what to think and feel. Jess, protagonist of
Valerie Patterson's Operation Oleander, has to cope with a situation
that would be tough for most adults in this truly poignant coming of
age novel.
Jess' father is serving a tour of duty in Afghanistan. Jess
works to get school supplies for the children in an orphanage. Only
something goes horribly wrong. Her dad and some other soldiers are
ambushed delivering the supplies. Two including the mother of her
best friend, Meriweather, are killed. Her dad lies unconscious in a
German hospital, the severity of his injuries unknown.
Reaction is swift and confusing. Many people say the project
should be abandoned. They seem unable to distinguish innocent orphans
from enemy insurgents. There are allegations of wrong doing on the
soldiers' part that need to be investigated.
Closer to home, Meriweather has become distant, seeming to blame
the project, Operation Oleander, for her mother's death, a deep loss
complicated by secret guilt.
To see how a girl who hasn't graduated from eighth grade handles
such challenges with grace and dignity as she struggles to understand,
read the book. You'll be glad you did.
On a personal note, I donated blood this week. My 16-year-old son did
for the first time. Two generations of one family. That is surely
one of the greatest experiences of my life.
A great big shout out goes out to the Red Cross nurses and the
volunteers who made the blood drive possible and the others who
donated with us.
Julia Emily Hathaway


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