Code talker

Bruchac, J. (2005). Code talker: a novel about the Navajo Marines of World War Two. New York, NY: Dial Books.

Interest Level: Grades 5-9

Reading Level: 6+

Ned Begay, grandfather, recounts to his grandchildren the story of his life as a Navajo Code Talker in this novel. At sixteen, Ned enlisted in the U.S. Marines after spending ten years in a White boarding school where he was taught to shed everything Anglo. Ironically, what America needed most to help win the war is the Navajo language. The Japanese had been successful in breaking every code that the U.S. Troops use to transmit messages, until the Navajo come along. Their language is complex and has not been written down. The military realizes that they need this edge and recruit not only Ned, but over 400 Navajo men to aid in the transmission of messages. This enabled messages to be relayed across the Pacific, including at Iwo Jima, and helped win the war.

This novel covers a little known portion of World War II history. It's well written and will attract reluctant readers as well as history enthusiasts. Ned's tenacity at the White school, continuing to preserve his Navajo heritage despite the fact that he will get in trouble for it is an admirable quality. The tone of the novel, one of a tradition of storytelling, exposes the reader to a tradition that many may not be familiar with. The recommended reading section at the end will encourage readers to learn more about Navajo tradition in general, World War II in general, and Navajo Code Talkers specifically.