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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
I struggle with battle stories. While I respect those who serve, I'm not interested in reading about the actual battles. This story had an important message about Navajo Indians and their contributions during WW II despite the discriminationthey faced. As I was reading this, I started to empathize with my 7th graders who struggle in reading. I found myself avoiding picking up this book or reading for 5 minutes and quitting. It has nothing to do with the quality of the book. It's just not my thing. It's part of my new curriculum, so I'm hoping some of my boys who may be reluctant readers might enjoy it.
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Read March 2021 ☀️
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Overall: 4.5
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Read March 2021 ☀️
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Overall: 4.5
The narrator of this book has a great voice and the story is very uplifting, despite the many hurdles this character and other Navahos face. Good historical fiction for YAs.
Presents the story of the code talkers and also a glimpse at Navajo life and culture in the mid-20th century. The historical details are interesting, but I didn't find the *story* compelling. I didn't find any emotional arc. The narrator didn't seem to change or grow in any way. I'll admit that I read this pretty quickly, in order to get an idea if I should recommend it to a group, but I don't think that was the only problem.
i knew about the code talkers from wwii, but i realized just how much i didn’t actually know. from forced assimilation under the guise of boarding schools to telling the navajo that they were the ones best fit to serve our country in keeping military actions secret, this book covered a lot of the tragic history that went into creating the code talkers that ensured victory in wwii.
though technically seen as a YA novel, i think the book provides a digestible history for any reader about the long hidden aspects of the war and treatment of native americans through the experiences of a fictional narrator enlisting in the marine core to serve the country that hated him (and still does)
My personal enjoyment of this book is more at a 3-star level, but it is exceptionally well researched and very accessible at the middle grades/YA levels so I have given it a bump up. If I had a student interested in war stories, I would definitely point them in this direction.
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, War, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Gun violence
Great book about Navajo Marines in WWII who helped create and use a code using the Navajo language that the Japanese never broke. Recommended for grade 5 to adult, but check the author as there's an adult book with same title. This is fiction but very well researched, so very educational and a great read.