Listen to this audio recording of Joseph Bruchac sharing some of the backstory in creating Code Talker:  A Novel About the Navajo Marines in World War II.

https://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=4858&a=1

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bruchac, Joseph. CODE TALKER: A NOVEL ABOUT THE NAVAJO MARINES IN WORLD WAR II. New York: Speak, 2006. ISBN: 978-0142405963.

PLOT SUMMARY:  This is a historical fiction story about the Navajo Marines that played an important role during World War II.  Using their native language, they were able to send messages back and forth that helped save many American lives.  For many years, their work remained classified which prevented people from knowing the important role these Navajo Marines played during this time.  

ANALYSIS: The main character in this novel is a Navajo boy.  The reader is introduced to him as Kii Yazhi, a six-year-old who must leave his family to go to boarding school to learn the way of the white people.  There he was stripped from his Navajo name and was given the name of Ned Begay.  Not only were the names of Navajo children changed but also their hair was cut, and their clothing and jewelry were taken away.  In March of 1943, he joined the Marines, when they came looking for Navajo volunteers who spoke Navajo and English well.  Even though he was not of age, with his parents blessing, he enlisted with a fake birthday.  As opposed to the belief of the white people that the Navajos were unable to learn, Ned Begay was one that stood out since he always did well in school. 

SETTING: There are various settings presented in the novel such as Ned’s home, the boarding school and the various places he traveled during the war.  At his home, his mother dressed up when Ned was leaving to boarding school, with her hair in a bun, moccasins, silver and turquoise jewelry, her finest clothing a silky blue blouse and plated skirt so Ned could have a beautiful image to remember her by.  At the school the clothing and jewelry of the Navajo children are taken away and are given a military-style uniform.  Their long hair is cut and kept short. 

THEME:  The theme of this novel is courage and history of the Navajos in World War II.  Many Navajos showed courage when volunteering as Code Talkers.  The history presented here is the crucial role that the Navajos had during World War II as Code Talkers.  Since their work was classified people did not know the important role they had in the war for many years. 

CULTURAL MARKERS: 

Authenticity in description of the diversity within the book:

There was a lot of authentic description presented about the Navajos ranging from language to beliefs and traditions.  Some of the beliefs the reader is presented are that when Navajo men or women cut their head it will bring misfortune, children should not be without their families, one must avoid the body of someone who has died, and a Hogan must be abandoned if somebody dies there.  The type of clothing that Navajos used is also presented.  They wore moccasins pleated skirts, silver and turquoise jewelry and Navajo men had long hair. 

Use of non-English words:

There were a lot of non-English words used in the novel.  The Navajo words used in the novel are well used in context as their English translation are given after the word.  This helps the reader understand what the word means. 

Author’s qualifications:

Even though Joseph Bruchac is not Navajo, his family’s heritage is Abenaki Indian.  He has always been interested in Native American history.  His sources were real Code Talkers which he met and heard many of their stories which he was able to include in the novel.  

Source notes:

The author provides a bibliography on books about Navajos and Code Talkers. 

CONNECTIONS:  Students can create a timeline to show how long Ned Begay was a Code Talker, the places he traveled to and important events from each place.  Students can create their timelines on a timeline software such as Sutori.