Customer Reviews

The Unbreakable Code

5 star:		(8)
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I shared this book with third graders. They loved the mystery of the code and the fact that it was a true story. They were intrigued by the grandfather's part in history and that the Navaho language has no alphabet. I liked the irony of the code breakers using the language they had been denied use of in school.

I had never heard of the Navajo code talkers so this book opened my eyes as well as those of my second graders. This wonderful book educated all of us and touched our hearts. We shared what we had learned about the code talkers with all we encountered. This piece of history should not be overlooked!

I highly recommend this book! What a great way to help children understand the power of communication and true heros.
Bravo!

Author, Sara Hoagland Hunter, tells a beautiful story of a young boy's fears of moving off the reservation and leaving his grandfather. But John's grandfather tells him he will be all right, for he has something very special to take with him: he has the unbreakable code--the code that saved the lives of thousands of American in the Pacific during WWII. The history of the Navajo Codetalkers comes alive in this children's book and provides the code at the end of the book. Something all young readers are fascinated by. This book paired with the new GI Joe Navajo Codetalker action figure makes the perfect gifts for boys (and girls) who are interested in WWII history.

This book is a terrific book, not only because it is well written and inspiring, but because it tells about important history.

The book brings to non-Indian children a sense that Native Americans are not just some people who lived in Tipis a long time ago. It also teaches them about the very important contibution made by one Native Nation to this country.

To Indian children, especially Dine, it can help bolster cultural pride and demonstrate the importance of their own people in this country.

A well-written book that helped me link my son to his great-grandfather (who fought in the Pacific in WWII) in a special way. Perhaps the code talkers helped save his life! That really brought the book to life in a very special way for my son. And the list of certain code words in the back was great - add more words and a map or two to the next edition!

I teach third grade and read this to my students. We study American History and they were fascinated! Also a great chance to expand vocabulary and gain some insight into WW2. Since I teach in Phoenix, American History also became Arizona history.

This was a winner with second graders, and could also enthrall older children (as well as the adults in their lives). Skillfully weaving the military experience of a Navajo grandfather with the very contemporary emotional angst his grandson is going through, the author delicately explores the importance of cultural identity -- and how it can support a person who must step outside his comfort zone for reasons beyond his control. A moving portrait of a strong bond between older and younger generations.