Bruchac, Joseph. Code Talker. New York: Dial Books. 2007. 224 pages. (Historic Fiction)The year is 1942, and 16-year old Ned Begay is ready and willing to join the U.S marines, especially because they are giving special offers to Navajo Indian code talkers like himself. He claims he is old enough and whips past boot camp to endure in the war that changes the way he and his friends live forever…
The book Code Talker was incredible. It really makes you feel like you are on the beaches of Bougainville or the gripping island of Iwo Jima. The first five chapters are extremely slow so for those of you who are impatient, you would not like this book, but if you can wait for action than I strongly recommend this book. Code Talker not only focuses on the reality and detail of war, but also the life of one marine and his newfound friends. The story is very hard to put down and tells you the real deal of WW2 through the eyes of a Navajo Indian. I strongly recommend this book to all history buffs like myself. The character most like me is probably Schmitty who is very sarcastic but nice when and means well when he says what he does. Schmitty is Ned Begays best “white” friend besides Georgia Boy who became friends with Ned when Ned taught him how to read.
