this book is a historical fiction about the Navajo code talkers of world war two. This book was incredibly well written with themes of language, culture, and patriotism. This is an important story to talk about, especially in school as it shines a light on some of the more overlooked heroes of world war two, their challenges, and their inspiring story

Code Talkers is not a book of eloquent literary writing. Instead, it is a simple and straightforward telling of the story of one of America’s most important secret weapons, Indian Code Talkers. Even now, 75 years after this weapon was deployed, it is so powerful and so eloquent that it could easily be deployed again just as effectively as it was when used in WW II,
Author Joseph Bruchac was a Navajo Code Talker himself. As a code talked, he served as a U.S. Marine in their invasions of various islands in the Pacific in WW II. Code talkers used variations of their own native languages to convey urgent and top-secret messages from one combat unit to another without fear of being decoded or translated. The unbreakable nature of the native languages used by the American Indians who served as code talkers allowed messages to be communicated at the moment of need rather than after hours of being translated into and then out of codes.
What makes the work of the code talkers so remarkable, however, was the context in which it was used. Native Americans had been the victims of genocidal racism since America’s earliest days, and that same racism continues even today. Yet in spite of the treatment, the Indian Nations have received, they have remained loyal citizens of the nation that oppresses them. In fact, Native Americans have always served in greater proportion to their populations than any other ethnic group.
The book is not a difficult read, although some of its content reflects the horror that is war. It is a lucid, succinct, and articulate telling of an important contribution to American history that resulted in the saving of countless lives. ( )

Code Talker is a YA novel about the Navajo code talkers in WWII. It is a first person fictional account from a Navajo man who recounts his life to his grandchildren. He details his life from his time in a school that tries to take his Navajo identity, through enlisting in the Marine Corps, being trained as a code talker, and his WWII experience, including the battle of Iwo Jima.

This is a really good YA book. The language and syntax are easy, but the topics are in depth and the author doesn't shy away from hard discussions. He talks about being forced to assimilate as a child and what that did to Native Americans, about how language can define a culture and person, and war topics such as losing friends, fear, and PTSD.

I read this because my mom always does a summer book club with my son and was thinking about this book. She wanted to make sure it wouldn't be too upsetting or adult in topic. I think that it's a really great book and would recommend it to middle grade and high school readers. And actually, I think a lot of adults would enjoy it too.

Original publication date: 2005
Author’s nationality: Nulhegan Abenaki Citizen
Original language: English
Length: 205 pages
Rating: 4 stars
Format/where I acquired the book: borrowed paperback
Why I read this: at my mom's request ( )

A novel about the Navajo Marines of World War II. 16 year old Ned Begay enlisted in the U.S. Marines during World War II and was trained as a code talker, using his native language to radio battlefield information and commands in a code kept secret until 1969.

RGG: Story of the Navajo code talkers in the World War II Pacific front. Lots of historical details, but the recounting is somewhat dull.