Aaseng, Nathan. (2002). Navajo Code Talkers. New York: Walker and Company. 96 pp.

Grade Range: 6-9

Genre: nonfiction

Summary and Critique

Nathan Aaseng's Navajo Code Talkers tells the heroic story of a special group who proved themselves to be among the bravest, most valuable, and most loyal American soldiers during World War II. To make this story even more incredible, these unlikely heroes were from a culture whose land was taken away and whose right to exist was threatened by the United States government just a generation prior to World War II. The Navajo's extraordinarily complex language proved to be the unbreakable code America needed to navigate its armies through the Pacific Island chains and jungles without Japan being able to intercept their messages. Four-hundred fifty Navajos were recruited to risk their lives to run the radio equipment in some of the most life threatening of circumstances.

This book is perfect for students with interests in military strategies and historical accounts of war-time. Aside from providing a wealth of historical information about the United State's struggles in the Pacific, it also emphasizes the importance and difficulties of conveying meaning through language and the cultural differences between the Navajo marines and their belegaana comrades (belegaana being the Navajo word to describe people outside of their tribe).

Themes/Topics

Friends and Enemies

Race, Ethnicity, and Culture

Challenges and Triumphs

War and Peace

The Individual vs. Society

Author Information

A Minnesota native, Nathan Aaseng was a microbiologist before commencing his writing career. Aaseng has written over one hundred forty five books, with a strong focus on biographies, sports, and science. His hobbies include cross-country skiing and running. Nathan Aaseng, his wife, and their children currently reside in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

For more information on Nathan Aaseng:

http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/lac/notable/1999notable.htm Brief biographical and bibliographical information.

Media Connections

Movies

Windtalkers (2000) In the Pacific Theater during World War II, two Caucasian marines must monitor the activities of two Navajo marines responsible for developing and interpreting a secret code.

Glory (1989) Depicts the struggles of the first group of African American soldiers during the Civil War.

Dances with Wolves (1990) A Civil War lieutenant rejects his society and embraces the Sioux culture. This film also depicts the government's negative attitude toward Native Americans.

Midway (1976) Presents the Battle of Midway from the perspectives of both the American soldiers and the Japanese soldiers.

Online Resources

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq61-2.htm Brief information about the Navajo code talkers.

http://americanhistory.about.com/library/prm/blcodetalkers1.htm In-depth information about the Navajo code talkers.

http://connections.smsd.org/veterans/wwii_sites.htm Extensive list of Web sites related to World War II, including information on the Navajo code talkers.

http://www.euronet.nl/users/wilfried/ww2/secret.htm Explores the variety of codes used during World War II.

http://www.navajo.org/ The Navajo Nation's official Web site, offering a variety of information about current Navajo issues.

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/mystery/american/navajoland/yestertoday.html Information about the Navajo culture.

Related Texts

Riley, Patricia. (1993). Growing Up Native American: An Anthology. New York: Morrow. 333 pp. Twenty-two Native American authors contributed to this anthology, offering poems and short stories on growing up in a Native American culture.

Hong, Maria. (1993). Growing Up Asian American: An Anthology. New York: Morrow. 416pp. Thirty-two Asian American authors contributed to this anthology, offering memoirs, short stories, novel excerpts, and essays about growing up in an Asian American culture.

Kennemar, Phyllis K. (1993). Using Literature to Teach Middle Grades about War. Phoenix: Oryx Press. 209pp. Ideas and sources for teaching about wars, from the Revolutionary War to the Gulf War.

Meyer, Carolyn. (1994). Rio Grande Stories. San Diego: Harcourt Brace. 257pp. A fictitious group of seventh graders from culturally diverse backgrounds compose short stories about experiences in New Mexico.

Dee, Brown. (1971). Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston. 487pp. Native American history of conflict with the United States government and the Long Walk to the reservations told from the accounts of Indian Chiefs.

Kawano, Kenji, photographer. (1990). Warriors: Navajo Code Talkers. Flagstaff, AZ: Northland Publishing. 107pp. Pictorial account of the Navajo code talkers'experiences during World War II.

Lesson Ideas

(1) "Cultural Differences" Navajo Code Talkers mentions many occasions were ethnic or cultural differences and assumptions led to miscommunications and distrust. Identify and describe any events from your life where differences or assumptions interfered with an objective or common goal. Were you able to overcome the differences? Why or why not?

(2) "Using Language to Construct Meaning" The book describes how the Navajo's use of language expresses a different way of looking at the world. For example instead of saying"I'm hungry," in Navajo you would say,"Hunger is hurting me." How is this a different way of looking at the world?

(3) "Subculture Relating to a Dominant Culture" Why were the young Navajo men so willing to fight for a country that fought their grandfathers and forced them to live on an unproductive reservation? The book does not address this question. Extra note: The Navajo do not have a word for patriotism.

(Review written by Mark Daley & Jennifer E. Moore and edited by Jennifer E. Moore)