Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two
This deeply affecting novel honors all the young men who dared to serve in World War II, and it honors the culture and language of the Navajo Indians.
"Readers who choose the book for the attraction of Navajo code talking and the heat of battle will come away with more than they ever expected to find."—Booklist, starred review
Throughout World War II, in the conflict fought against Japan, Navajo code talkers were a crucial part of the U.S. effort, sending messages back and forth in an unbreakable code that used their native language. They braved some of the heaviest fighting of the war, and with their code, they saved countless American lives. Yet their story remained classified for more than twenty years.
But now Joseph Bruchac brings their stories to life for young adults through the riveting fictional tale of Ned Begay, a sixteen-year-old Navajo boy who becomes a code talker. His grueling journey is eye-opening and inspiring.
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
"Nonsensational and accurate, Bruchac's tale is quietly inspiring..."—School Library Journal
"Readers who choose the book for the attraction of Navajo code talking and the heat of battle will come away with more than they ever expected to find."—Booklist, starred review
Throughout World War II, in the conflict fought against Japan, Navajo code talkers were a crucial part of the U.S. effort, sending messages back and forth in an unbreakable code that used their native language. They braved some of the heaviest fighting of the war, and with their code, they saved countless American lives. Yet their story remained classified for more than twenty years.
But now Joseph Bruchac brings their stories to life for young adults through the riveting fictional tale of Ned Begay, a sixteen-year-old Navajo boy who becomes a code talker. His grueling journey is eye-opening and inspiring.
An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
"Nonsensational and accurate, Bruchac's tale is quietly inspiring..."—School Library Journal
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Community Reviews
Excellent novel about Navajo code talkers during WWII. I was worried that this book was going to be very graphic -- wartime so often is. Somehow, instead, the author managed to get across the seriousness of war while humanizing the enemy and sparing the reader some of the gorier details. There were still stories of sadness and horror, but everything was done in a very humane way. This story was all about hope, perseverance, and honor. I appreciated how the narrator didn't ignore racism or prejudice, but found productive, positive ways to fight it. He understood that the best way to show people he wasn't what they thought of him was to prove himself and to defy all their expectations. I understand that this doesn't always work, but I appreciate a different narrative every one in a while, you know? I really liked that this book was patriotic but not pandering. It was serious without being weighed down by its own sense of self-importance. I'd definitely recommend this book to basically anyone, but especially young boys.
PFS Book Club ---15th June
Today Anushka discussed about race discrimination and oppression citing stories and excerpts from three books “Code talker” by Joseph Bruchac, “Born a crime” by Trevor Noahh and “The covenant of water” by Abraham Verghese.
Code talker book is about native American community called Navajo. Navajo was one of the toughest languages to learn and how one guy use this language and helped USA to win World war-2 against Japan. In this book it is mentioned that how Navajo guy went to war, made their secret codes and save millions of Americans. Anushka explained how this guy was sent to boarding school to learn English and his hair was cut short and used to get punished if they speak in Navajo. She also spoke about livestock massacre which happened in USA where his livestock was killed to prevent animals from over grazing. They were not allowed to talk about this and after 27 years of war government spoke about Navajo code. And after almost 60 years they got gold medal celebrating their heroism.
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