Book Review of "Code Talker: A novel about the Navajo marines of World War Two" by Joseph Bruchac

 

1.     Bibliography

Bruchac, J. 2005. Code talker: A novel about the Navajo marines of World War Two. Dial Books. ISBN: 9780803729216

2.     Plot Summary

We begin with Ned Begay who is six years old and is taken from his family to the Rehoboth Mission boarding school in New Mexico.  Here he is taught to abandon his traditions and values and take to the American life and is taught English.  When he was a teenager the US military started looking for Navajo children to recruit for the fight in WWII.  They are using their language as a code to talk between forces because of the difficulty translating the language.  Ned and other code talkers start their journey in Hawaii for training and then get sent to the Solomon Islands for their first experience with combat.  As the battles continue Ned talks about how important the code talkers prove themselves to be.  When the war is over, even with all their help they come back to a world who is unsupportive and still has racism towards them.  Ned ended up becoming a Navajo educator and in 1969 the US government released the code talkers program and recognized them for the outstanding achievement they helped with. 

3.     Critical Analysis

In this story we meet Ned Began who was first known as Kii Yazhi in his Native tribe.  Ned narrates the book and talks about when he was sent away to boarding school.  He is a rule following student but in secret he maintains his native language.  Ned talks about his time as a WWII veteran and his time as a teacher of the Navajo language and culture.  We also meet Johnny Manuelito who is older than Ned but also joins the Marines like Ned does.  He is a leader and very serious at times.  Another important character in the book is Georgia Boy, who is tall and white with blonde hair and blue eyes.  He is illiterate and Ned helps him to learn how to read.  They both saved each other in battle during WWII.  Finally, we also have Smitty, who is a protector of Ned and makes sure that no US soldiers confuse Ned for an enemy in combat.  This is a historical book beginning in the Navajo Nation which is in Arizona and New Mexico in the early 20^th century.  Ned grows up in a close-knit Navajo community.  Ned grows up in a boarding school who want him to conform to American ways and strip him of his culture.  When Ned joins the military, he gets relocated to Camp Pendleton and other bases in California and Hawaii.  This is in the 1940’s when WWII happened.  Ned gets deployed to many different WWII battle sites like the Solomon Islands, Bougainville, Guam, and Iwo Jima.  After WWII, Ned returns home where he reflects on his experiences.  The book has many different cultural connections in the book.  One reference is when Ned listens to the stories of his elders and grandparents and shows him the responsibility he has.  This shows how elders of the Native Americans are often used for knowledge and wisdom.  You see the Navajo language that was forbidden became a critical key in the WWII battles.  Ned comes to realize that his language is a gift and not just a tool used.  Ned also shows connection to his homeland when he is in battle, and he thinks about his home to give him strength and healing.  You can see the traditions of the culture when Ned’s grandfather performs a Blessingway ceremony before Ned leaves for war.  You can also get a sense of Navajo culture from Ned’s mother who adorns herself in fine clothing and turquoise and silver jewelry.  She wants Ned to remember her like this when he leaves for boarding school.  We also see in the book that the children’s hair is cut when they come to boarding school showing.  Navajo culture shows that cutting one’s hair will bring a person misfortune and is the reason why they keep it long.  This story shows how Navajo children and families were treating in boarding school and made to conform to white American schools.  People who read this story should see how important it is to value everyone’s culture and not shame them for it.  Their culture and language became a pivotal part in WWII and they should be appreciated.  Overall, this story shows us some insights into WWII and Navajo culture, and we can all learn and appreciate what they did for our country. 

4.     Review Excerpt(s)

"When WWII broke out, Navajos . . . were recruited by the Marine Corps to use their native language to create an unbreakable code . . . Telling his story to his grandchildren, Ned relates his experiences in school, military training, and across the Pacific . . . With its multicultural themes and well-told WWII history, this will appeal to a wide audience."  —Kirkus Reviews

 

"Thought-provoking and action-packed . . . Bruchac deftly sheds light on the harrowing circumstances that Indigenious people faced during an already arduous time period." —TIME

5.     Connections

*I would have students interview a veteran or grandparents and their thoughts and experiences during a major historical event.  They could write a paragraph describing the interview and questions.

*Similar books

-Two Roads by Joseph Bruchac

-I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis & Kathy Kacer