Code Talker: A Novel about the Navajo Marines of World War Two

by Joseph Bruchac

Book Overview

"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

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...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0142405965
• ISBN13: 9780142405963
• Release Date: July 2006
• Publisher: Speak
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.63 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.1"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

My Review

Code Talkers is a great novel telling the story of a Navaho boy named Kii Yazhi. He is sent to boarding school and then when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor he makes the decision of going to the Marine Corps. He is recruited and is sent to boot camp. He is selected to do a very special job that includes using his native language, he becomes a Navajo Code Talker.

Code Talker

What did Navajo Indians do in World War 2? The title of my book is Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac. The main character is Kii Yazhi. He is forced to go to boarding school. From boarding school he heads off to war. In the beginning of the story, he was forced to to leave his family and go to a school where they hated Navajo Indians. In the middle of the book, Kii was a code talker. Being a code talker he spoke the native language as a code in World War 2. To find out what happened to Kii, read the book. The theme is Navajo Indians helped Americans in World War 2. This book reminded me of wars. Boys who like action will like this book. B.C. in Annapolis

code talker review

my son asked me to pick out a relatively short book from the library for his 8th grade book report. Code talker was it. After he raved about it, and spoke of some specifics, i read it myself before returning to the library. It is a beautifully told tale that intertwines the 'simple' english translation of a navajo language filled with spirituality, respect, honor, and a mythological belief in how things came to be. How these Navajo marines came to become major players in WWII victory in the face of horrendous racially biased treatment at home is gripping. They were great american heroes, only to be treated like dirt upon their arrival home. Powerful, fascinating story that is impossible to put down.

Code Talkers

Code Talkers is a fantastic book. The author Joseph Bruchac really knows how to write a good book. When the main charector was growing up he was told he would be nothing. When he got out of boarding school he was on his way to being a big succes. When he grew up he, he decided to do something with his life so he joined the Marines after Pearl Harbor was attacked. At that time the marines were looking for codetalkers Navajo codetalkers. The Marines attimatically sent him to the Pacific to start transmitting messages.

Code Talker: A novel about the Navajo Marines of World War II

Joseph Bruchac does a wonderful job of showing the reader the life of the Navajo young during the 1920-30s as well as telling of this powerful and until fairly recently (1969) unknown aspect of the second World War. I am a high school media specialist and have selected this title to use with my student and faculty historical fiction book discussion groups for 2005-2006.