Throughout World War II, in the conflict fought against Japan, Navajo code talkers were a crucial part of the U.S. effort, sending messages back and forth in an unbreakable code that used their native language. They braved some of the heaviest fighting of the war, and with their code, they saved countless American lives. Yet their story remained classified for more than twenty years.
But now Joseph Bruchac brings their stories to life for young adults through the riveting fictional tale of Ned Begay, a sixteen-year-old Navajo boy who becomes a code talker. His grueling journey is eye-opening and inspiring. This deeply affecting novel honors all of those young men, like Ned, who dared to serve, and it honors the culture and language of the Navajo Indians. One of TIME MAGAZINE’s 100 Best YA Books of All Time

"Thought-provoking and action-packed . . . Bruchac deftly sheds light on the harrowing circumstances that Indigenious people faced during an already arduous time period." —TIME

"When WWII broke out, Navajos . . . were recruited by the Marine Corps to use their native language to create an unbreakable code . . . Telling his story to his grandchildren, Ned relates his experiences in school, military training, and across the Pacific . . . With its multicultural themes and well-told WWII history, this will appeal to a wide audience."  —Kirkus Reviews