Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two
Jul 2006 · Sold by Penguin
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ONE OF TIME’S BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOKS OF ALL TIME • This deeply affecting novel follows a too-young-to-enlist teenager as he becomes a Navajo Code Talker—one of the best kept secret weapons in WWII.
“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
The United States is at war, and sixteen-year-old Ned Begay wants to join the cause—especially when he hears that Navajos are being specifically recruited by the Marine Corps. So he claims he’s old enough to enlist, breezes his way through boot camp, and suddenly finds himself involved in a top-secret task, one that’s exclusively performed by Navajos. He has become a code talker. His experiences in the Pacific—from Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima and beyond—will forever change him.
Throughout World War Two, 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. When the war ended, they weren’t able to tell anyone—not even their families—about their true contribution.
But we now know their amazing stories, and Joseph Bruchac brings them to life through the riveting fictional tale of Ned Begay. His grueling journey is eye-opening and inspiring. Code Talker honors all of those young men, like Ned, who dared to serve. It honors the culture and language of the Navajo Indians and it speaks eloquently about the brutal realities of battle.
“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
The United States is at war, and sixteen-year-old Ned Begay wants to join the cause—especially when he hears that Navajos are being specifically recruited by the Marine Corps. So he claims he’s old enough to enlist, breezes his way through boot camp, and suddenly finds himself involved in a top-secret task, one that’s exclusively performed by Navajos. He has become a code talker. His experiences in the Pacific—from Guadalcanal to Iwo Jima and beyond—will forever change him.
Throughout World War Two, 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. When the war ended, they weren’t able to tell anyone—not even their families—about their true contribution.
But we now know their amazing stories, and Joseph Bruchac brings them to life through the riveting fictional tale of Ned Begay. His grueling journey is eye-opening and inspiring. Code Talker honors all of those young men, like Ned, who dared to serve. It honors the culture and language of the Navajo Indians and it speaks eloquently about the brutal realities of battle.
ONE OF TIME’S BEST YOUNG ADULT BOOKS OF ALL TIME • This deeply affecting novel follows a too-young-to-enlist teenager as he becomes a Navajo Code Talker—one of the best kept secret weapons in WWII.
“Readers who choose the book for the attraction of Navajo code talking and the heat of battle will...
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Ratings and reviews
34 reviews
Emily Nguyen
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October 16, 2017
A fantastic novel, and can be used as an introduction to code talkers of the world wars. I, myself, never knew of code talkers before picking up this novel! I would recommend this novel to teachers in late elementary and in early junior high, as the themes present in the novel are thought-provoking and can set the foundation for important and honest discussions, especially about colonialism, the achievements of Indigenous peoples, and the inherent right to have one's culture preserved. I respect Joseph Bruchac's work on this novel, and I appreciate his decision on what themes and topics were to be discussed throughout the novel. As such, the many horrors of American Indian boarding schools were left out to focus on the achievements and growth of the Navajo code talkers. This decision does not invalidate what happened in the boarding schools, but rather empowers readers to broaden their understandings of Indigenous peoples. Readers will come to understand that tragedies may define a nation for many generations, but also discern the many nuances that complete these people.
5 people found this review helpful
A Google user
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August 4, 2015
At first I wasn't too sure about reading this book but when you get into it it's really good. This is definitely a must-have in my book (pun intended )
2 people found this review helpful
Nicole Boyd
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April 27, 2015
The book is cool and fun to read. It is very interesting and a good way to learn Dat crap fool! Any howz, ain't it a awesome book? Chu bruh, chu. ITS A GREAT BOOK IS MY POINT!!!!!
2 people found this review helpful
About the author
Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed children's book author, poet, novelist and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. Coauthor with Michael Caduto of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series, Bruchac's poems, articles and stories have appeared in hundreds of publications, from Akwesasne Notes and American Poetry Review to National Geographic and Parabola.
He has authored many books for adults and children including Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two, Skeleton Man, and The Heart of a Chief.
He has authored many books for adults and children including Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two, Skeleton Man, and The Heart of a Chief.
Joseph Bruchac is a highly acclaimed children's book author, poet, novelist and storyteller, as well as a scholar of Native American culture. Coauthor with Michael Caduto of the bestselling Keepers of the Earth series, Bruchac's poems, articles and stories have appeared in hundreds of publication...
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