Code Talker

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bruchac, Joseph. 2005. Code talkers. New York: Speak. ISBN 09780142405963

PLOT SUMMARY

Just a stupid Navajo. That’s the only credit society would give one like Ned Begay, or Kii Ya´zhi´ as he is known to his Navajo tribe. After years of the general public trying to make the Navajo more “White,” Begay’s Navajo language skills prove invaluable as a Code Talker in World War II.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Code Talkers by Joseph Bruchac addresses the Navajo side of common American Indian stereotypes: lazy, uneducated, stupid, never as good as White men. Ned Begay, a name given to a Navajo boy at mission school, grew up hearing he needed to be more like the White man than the savage White men thought his People to be. Remaining faithful to the practices of his People, Ned excelled in his schooling and was chosen for a special job in the Marines because of his Navajo fluency.

Bruchac gives detailed descriptions of Ned and his family: dark skinned, comparatively shorter than others, except for his “tall, beautiful mother” (p. 5). Their dress for special occasions consists of lots of silver and turquoise jewelry. Their clothing includes headbands, tall black hats, long colorful dresses, and moccasins. They place great pride in their long, dark hair. Readers can picture Ned and his family as he leaves for mission school.

When interacting with other cultures, Navajo custom is to look at the ground, not in the eye, when someone speaks. This was a challenge when Ned went to mission school and later in the Marines boot camp.

Bruchac mentions a couple special ceremonies and traditions held in the Navajo culture. The Blessingway tradition was performed for Ned before he left for boot camp. Ned frequently prayed to the Holy People and put a pinch of pollen on his tongue each morning. Although it proved difficult, Ned made friends with some of the White Marines. Ned did not force his customs on his White friends. In fact, many common Navajo practices, such as the morning prayer, were done in private. There was importance in having this solitary moment—even among those with varying beliefs. It is also interesting to note that the narrator mentioned many Navajos also practiced Catholicism—a result of mission school.

Even amongst the hateful remarks made to and about Navajos, the narrator did not give in to anger and berate the White men as they had done. This shows the balanced type of life these people strive for. Their unity with nature is displayed with metaphors commonly made. Ned compares the Marine’s uniform with the shiny, blue sky. When addressed by a Navajo Marine, Ned compares him to an “eagle staring down from a high mountain crag” (p. 47). The attention to details in nature proves its importance in their culture.

In the author’s note, Bruchac notes that the original draft of the book was heavy with historical details, which aided readers with understanding of the setting. This final draft kept most of the historical details to provide readers with the important frame of reference. Bruchac obviously did his research, as also noted at the close of the story.

The book opens on the reservation as Ned is going to mission school then to boot camp and finally off to War. Bruchac’s description of the reservation, while not terribly detailed, contains no stereotypes, just facts about the Navajo living area. The author ought to be praised for the pictures he paints with words when telling about Ned’s journey in the Pacific. Rich imagery lays out for the reader the landscape, smells, and sounds.

The story of Ned Begay is told in first person, directed to his grandchildren. This first person format allows more details and emotion from his perspective. Readers will learn not only a bit about the Navajo culture but also a great deal about the ins and outs of World War II that took place in the Pacific. Overall, this novel follows the pattern of a great work of literature.

Bruchac, as told in his author’s note, researched deeply and widely to portray a culturally accurate account of the Navajo’s participation in World War II. His sources included research and accounts from men who experienced the war first hand. A lesson in culture and history fills the pages of Code Talker by Native American author Joseph Bruchac.

AWARDS AND REVIEWS

Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2005

ALA Booklist Book Review Starts, 2005

Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth, 2005

ALSC’s Notable Children’s Books, 2006

ALA YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2006

“Even when facing complex negative forces within his own country, he is able to reach into his traditional culture to find answers that work for him in a modern context. 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, February 2005, starred review

“Bruchac's gentle prose presents a clear historical picture of young men in wartime. . . . Nonsensational and accurate, Bruchac's tale is quietly inspiring.” –School Library Journal, n.d.

“With its multicultural themes and well-told WWII history, this will appeal to a wide audience.” Kirkus Review, January 2005, starred review

CONNECTIONS

Create a Code

Work with a partner to create a code of shapes, sounds, or letters. Create a secret message in your code. Trade code keys and secret messages with another pair to solve.

Paint Me a Picture

Author Joseph Bruchac phenomenally describes the setting of each place Ned’s company is ordered to. Choose one of those locations, and paint or draw a picture of that location based on Bruchac’s imagery.

Interviewing a Code Talker

Imagine Ned Begay is coming to visit your school. Work with a partner or trio to write interview questions for Ned. Use the novel and your own research into the Navajo culture, World War II, and Navajo Code Talkers to answer the questions. Record yourselves conducting the interview with one person playing the part of Ned.