Code Talker

Code Talker
Author: Joseph Bruchac
Genre: Historical Fiction
Grades: 6- 8

This book starts off during World War II. Chester is a marine, who is fighting for the control of the Pacific Islands. As a child, he grew up on the Navajo reservation, but he was shipped of to a boarding to learn English. By the time he was a teenager World War II had started, he and his friends decided to become marines. While at war, Chester and his friends, speak the Navajo language so that becomes very helpful when aiding the war. During the war, the Navajo code is used many times but eventually his deployment is over and he can go home. He is told to tell no one about the Navajo Code. Chester struggles with the horrors he saw at war and the lies he tells about not using the code. However, he ends up going to college and settling down with his wife. In the 1960s, the military declassifies the Navajo Code and his family is very proud of him but it does not save his failing marriage. Finally 2001, the original 29 cold-talkers are awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their service. The use of this book would be to inform people on the contributions of the Navajo people.