Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bruchac, Joseph. 2005. Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two. New York: Dial Books.  ISBN 0-8037-2921-9

SUMMARY
Here is a story of profound beauty and strength. Ned Begay is sixteen years old and a Navajo Indian.  Well, his name is really Kii Yazhi, but Ned is the name a white man gave him at the Rehoboth Mission School.  It was there that he and other Navajo children were told that everything Indian about them must be forgotten; their language, their traditions, even their names.  Soon after Ned turns 16, the United States enters WWII. When the United States wants to recruit Navajo Indians, Ned has no idea that he and fellow Navajos would create a code that would never be broken and helps America to win the war.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
A recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers' Circle of the America's, Bruchac (born as Green Corn Moon), has written an exciting, and often, eloquent, story about the Navajo Code Talkers during World War II. Told in first person narrative, this is the story of Ned Begay.  Ned's early life follows the path of many Navajo Indians; going to boarding school to learn the white man's world.  As Ned states, "I began my day as Kii Yazhi and ended it as Ned Begay."  Although Ned adapts well to boarding school, he has a hard time forgetting his heritage believing "[Do] I really have to give up everything to succeed in the modern world?" 

Bruchac's book offers a view of Navajo history not known to many. When the U.S. declares war on Germany, Italy and Japan, it's only when the Tribal Council also declares war on this enemy, that Navajos are able to join.  Bruchac eloquently expresses Ned's overwhelming sense of pride of being Navajo and helping their sacred land. While Bruchac is of Abenaki Indian heritage, he often writes about Native American heritage which is widely acclaimed. 

This book will appeal to adults and grades 6+.   It will appeal in particular to people who enjoy reading about Navajo history, as well as WWII history buffs. 


REVIEW EXCERPTS
With its multicultural themes and well-told WWII history, this will appeal to a wide audience.--Kirkus Reviews 

Grades 5 Up. In the measured tones of a Native American storyteller, Bruchac's gentle prose presents a clear historical picture...Non-sensational and accurate, Bruchac's tale is quietly inspiring...--School Library Journal 

Gr. 6-9...The narrative pulls no punches about war's brutality and never adopts an avuncular tone. Not every section of the book is riveting, but slowly the succession of scenes, impressions, and remarks build to create a solid, memorable portrayal...Even when facing complex negative forces within his own country, he is able to reach into his traditional culture to find answers that work for him in a modern context.  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) 

CONNECTIONS
-Teachers can review Scholastic's "Literature Circle Guide" for teaching ideas:  http://teacher.scholastic.com/clubs/lit_circle_pdfs/code_talker_t.pdf

-For geography, follow Ned's travels as a code talker on a map. 

-Before reading the book, have students do a KWL on Navajo Indians.  This will bring up any stereotypes they might have.  After they've read the book, discuss with students their KWL before and after.  How have their perceptions changed? 

-Here is the official "Navajo Code Talkers" website.  http://www.navajocodetalkers.org/ 

-If students are interested in a non-fiction book on this subject, have them read: 
     - Code Talker: The first and only memoir by one of the original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII by Chester Nez and Judith Avila. ISBN 978-0425247853

-For students to be able to hear the Navajo language and to make a real-life connection with the story, teachers can play sections of the audio version that contain the Navajo language. 

-Show students the History Channel's DVD series "WWII Unsung Heroes" - Disc 5 "Navajo Code Talkers":  http://shop.history.com/detail.php?p=271015&SESSID=18db7a958aa14f134dd9fd17a7127b80&v=history