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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
While this is fiction, it is based around historical facts, and that's a big plus for this reviewer. The depressing treatment of Navajo (and many other Native Americans) starts this tale off and acts as a wonderful counterpoint to their work as Code Talkers during World War II. Tales of island hopping are accurate, even if the main character's two friends are caricatures. Especially well told is the accurate tale of the two flag raisings on Mt. Suribachi (Iwo Jima).
Also spot on though depressing is the main character's return to civilian life, where he is thrown out of a bar that doesn't serve Indians. While this young adult tale wasn't as good as the same author's Jim Thorpe, it was pretty darn good. Recommended!
Also spot on though depressing is the main character's return to civilian life, where he is thrown out of a bar that doesn't serve Indians. While this young adult tale wasn't as good as the same author's Jim Thorpe, it was pretty darn good. Recommended!
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Well written (as are all Bruchac's works) and thoroughly researched. A heartfelt and personal exploration of the experiences of a Code Talker before and during WW2.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator's delivery and voice were wonderful.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator's delivery and voice were wonderful.
This was a really well done historical fiction. I have been intrigued by the code talkers ever since I learned about them a few years ago. It's crazy to consider how much my history knowledge is lacking (and I actually LIKE history and search out and read history books for fun). Imagine how lacking the general public's history knowledge probably is!
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
informative
medium-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:
No
All his life Ned Begay has been told that being Navajo is bad. At the mission school, all the Navajos are told to forget their language, to forget everything about being Navajo. Speaking English and emulating the white man is the only way to get ahead, or so they are told. However, when World War II breaks out, Ned learns that the Marines are actively recruiting Navajos. For the first time, Americans are in need of Navajos and their language. An unbreakable code is being developed using the Navajo language and the Marines are recruiting men fluent in Navajo and English to come and fight the Japanese. Ned Begay is one of these men. Although he is only 16, he enlists in the Marines and starts a journey both wonderful and terrible.
Now, I must confess that I don't like war books. I can see how this novel would be appealing to some. There is a lot of action, many descriptions of battle scenes in the Pacific. I think I might have liked it better if the novel had had a different format. The first person didn't do it for me and I felt like it read more like dry non-fiction than the riveting novel it could have been. Bruchac himself confesses in the author's note that he crammed a lot of facts into the book. I did find it enlightening. But I think it could have been more entertaining.
That said, Bruchac is one of the most reliable authors I know for fiction about Native Americans. He includes a length author's note talking about his research and the real Navajo code talkers. He also includes a fairly extensive bibliography.
It's an important book, for sure, but to me it read more like a book that would be assigned in school rather than one I would ever pick up for pleasure.
Now, I must confess that I don't like war books. I can see how this novel would be appealing to some. There is a lot of action, many descriptions of battle scenes in the Pacific. I think I might have liked it better if the novel had had a different format. The first person didn't do it for me and I felt like it read more like dry non-fiction than the riveting novel it could have been. Bruchac himself confesses in the author's note that he crammed a lot of facts into the book. I did find it enlightening. But I think it could have been more entertaining.
That said, Bruchac is one of the most reliable authors I know for fiction about Native Americans. He includes a length author's note talking about his research and the real Navajo code talkers. He also includes a fairly extensive bibliography.
It's an important book, for sure, but to me it read more like a book that would be assigned in school rather than one I would ever pick up for pleasure.
I originally wanted to give this book 4 stars, but then remembered that it’s written for adolescents. I love historical fiction, and this book was a great story highlighting a not-as-well known, but incredibly important, part of history. I think it’s a great read for people of any age, as it also raises awareness about the discrimination that Native Americans did and continue to experience.
I loved this book!
Can’t believe it was a novel and not a true story! Even though I know it was a very true experience for a great number of people. His writing was so convincing!
The second half may have been a little fact/history heavy, but because the first half made me care so so much about the character(s), I didn’t mind!
Very eye opening (and helped me visualize/understand) regarding residential schools (boo) and treatment of Native Peoples in the general public/the Armed Forces. Sad to say it hasn’t improved as much as I’d hoped.
Anyways, this book was great and I’ll definitely be recommending!
Can’t believe it was a novel and not a true story! Even though I know it was a very true experience for a great number of people. His writing was so convincing!
The second half may have been a little fact/history heavy, but because the first half made me care so so much about the character(s), I didn’t mind!
Very eye opening (and helped me visualize/understand) regarding residential schools (boo) and treatment of Native Peoples in the general public/the Armed Forces. Sad to say it hasn’t improved as much as I’d hoped.
Anyways, this book was great and I’ll definitely be recommending!