Navajo Code Talkers- WWII (1942-1945)
If you enjoy this novel....
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Code Talker: a Novel about the Navajo Marines of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac
The tale of the code talkers comes to life with the story of Ned Begay telling his grandchildren of how the Navajo helped win the battle in the Pacific against Japan in World War II.
Best Books Lists: YALSA Best Books for Young Adults- American Library Association
Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth - Booklist
Reviews: "In a retrospective narrative addressed to his grandchildren, Ned Begay describes his degrading experiences with biligaana (white) schools as a youngster and his frightening yet liberating tour of duty as a Navajo code talker in the Pacific in World War II. Ned’s explanation of the challenges Indians faced in times of war and peace is moving but never mawkish; the delicate position of all indigenous peoples is made painfully obvious through carefully worded tribal declarations and individual avowals of loyalty to the government that has oppressed these people for generations. However, this is a book about victory, not victimization; the focus is firmly on the resiliency and grace of Native America in the most trying of times. Part of that grace is displayed as Ned depicts white soldiers, Japanese civilians, and Pacific Islanders with compassion (his view of the Japanese military is understandably less evenhanded). Though Ned’s own character is laid back and sympathetic to an almost eerie extent, he consistently attributes his own unshakable serenity to the support he receives from his family and community through their participation in the Navajo Way. Other famous codetalkers are introduced throughout (along with a certain future president), several of whom respond less well to their ambiguous status after serving honorably in the military." - Timnah Card (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, February 2005 (Vol. 58, No. 6)
The tale of the code talkers comes to life with the story of Ned Begay telling his grandchildren of how the Navajo helped win the battle in the Pacific against Japan in World War II.
Best Books Lists: YALSA Best Books for Young Adults- American Library Association
Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth - Booklist
Reviews: "In a retrospective narrative addressed to his grandchildren, Ned Begay describes his degrading experiences with biligaana (white) schools as a youngster and his frightening yet liberating tour of duty as a Navajo code talker in the Pacific in World War II. Ned’s explanation of the challenges Indians faced in times of war and peace is moving but never mawkish; the delicate position of all indigenous peoples is made painfully obvious through carefully worded tribal declarations and individual avowals of loyalty to the government that has oppressed these people for generations. However, this is a book about victory, not victimization; the focus is firmly on the resiliency and grace of Native America in the most trying of times. Part of that grace is displayed as Ned depicts white soldiers, Japanese civilians, and Pacific Islanders with compassion (his view of the Japanese military is understandably less evenhanded). Though Ned’s own character is laid back and sympathetic to an almost eerie extent, he consistently attributes his own unshakable serenity to the support he receives from his family and community through their participation in the Navajo Way. Other famous codetalkers are introduced throughout (along with a certain future president), several of whom respond less well to their ambiguous status after serving honorably in the military." - Timnah Card (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, February 2005 (Vol. 58, No. 6)
Find out what really happened with....
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Code Talker: the First and Only Memoir by one of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII by Chester Nez with Judith Schiess Avila
Imagine your government trying to strip away of your heritage when you were young and then asking you to use your forbidden native language to win a war thousands of miles away. In this memoir, Chester Nez along with 28 other Navajo were asked to do just that, and the result became the story of 29 American heroes who created the unbreakable code to defeat Japan in WWII.
Awards: Joe Sando Western History Award- New Mexico Book Awards
Reviews: "You don't need to be a fan of World War II literature to appreciate this memoir by Chester Nez and his co-author Judith Schiess Avila, a code talker scholar. "Code Talker" is a fascinating melange of combat in the Pacific theater, the history of the Navajo people and the development of a uniquely American code that remained unbroken by the Japanese throughout the war and classified until 1968." - Kim Curtis, Huffington Post September 9, 2011
Imagine your government trying to strip away of your heritage when you were young and then asking you to use your forbidden native language to win a war thousands of miles away. In this memoir, Chester Nez along with 28 other Navajo were asked to do just that, and the result became the story of 29 American heroes who created the unbreakable code to defeat Japan in WWII.
Awards: Joe Sando Western History Award- New Mexico Book Awards
Reviews: "You don't need to be a fan of World War II literature to appreciate this memoir by Chester Nez and his co-author Judith Schiess Avila, a code talker scholar. "Code Talker" is a fascinating melange of combat in the Pacific theater, the history of the Navajo people and the development of a uniquely American code that remained unbroken by the Japanese throughout the war and classified until 1968." - Kim Curtis, Huffington Post September 9, 2011
Find out more....
Native Words Native Warriors: Nice website put out by the Smithsonian museum that gives a brief history of Native American code talkers. http://nmai.si.edu/education/codetalkers/
Map of the Navajo Nation: from the Arizona State Museum. http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu/exhibits/navajoweave/contemp/map.html
Navajo Code Talkers' Dictionary, Naval History and Heritage Command: Actual dictionary of the code. http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq61-4.htm
Traditional Navojo Social Song: song by Herman Cody and posted by Daybreak Warrior - This YouTube video is a song sung in traditional Navajo tradition. The lyrics and photos are fun. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yseOGvh8XlQ
Map of the Navajo Nation: from the Arizona State Museum. http://www.statemuseum.arizona.edu/exhibits/navajoweave/contemp/map.html
Navajo Code Talkers' Dictionary, Naval History and Heritage Command: Actual dictionary of the code. http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq61-4.htm
Traditional Navojo Social Song: song by Herman Cody and posted by Daybreak Warrior - This YouTube video is a song sung in traditional Navajo tradition. The lyrics and photos are fun. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yseOGvh8XlQ