Code Talker - by Joseph Bruchac

About the Book

Bruchac brings to life for young adults the stories of some of the unsung heroes of World War II--the young Navajo men who were a crucial part of the American effort in sending and receiving messages that used their native language. Young Adult.

Book Synopsis

Throughout World War II, 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.
But now Joseph Bruchac brings their stories to life for young adults through the riveting fictional tale of Ned Begay, a sixteen-year-old Navajo boy who becomes a code talker. His grueling journey is eye-opening and inspiring. This deeply affecting novel honors all of those young men, like Ned, who dared to serve, and it honors the culture and language of the Navajo Indians.

Review Quotes

One of TIME MAGAZINE's 100 Best YA Books of All Time

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

"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

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. For more information about Joseph, please visit his website www.josephbruchac.com.