Published: 2005
Genre: Historical Fiction, Military, Native American, Navajo, World War II, War, Indigenous
Trigger Warnings: racism, war, death, stereotypes
Summary: 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. This deeply affecting novel honors all of those young men, like Ned, who dared to serve, and it honors the culture and language of the Navajo Indians.
Review: Awesome! So cool! A very neat story that has gone largely unheard. With the continued tensions between Americans and the Native American Peoples, this book could serve as a wonderful lesson on how to appropriately interact, help each other out, respect each other, etcetera. I love to learn about different people groups and their uniqueness and creativity and this book allows for that. I feel that people don’t have a realistic, modern view and understanding of Native Americans and there is a large lack of respect and empathy given to these groups. This story serves as a reminder that we need to do this. The concept of “windows and doors” in teaching could be employed with this book. Students can learn quite a bit about the Navajo people through reading this story, as well as simple life lessons about survivial, decision-making, prejudice, and culture. I think this book could definitely be used in the classroom; ELA and Global Studies could pair up to read and study the book. Just a great read, great story, great moral lessons!!! Read it!
