Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac follows Ned Begay, a Navajo man reflecting on his youth when he was recruited by the US military during World War II to use his language in creating an unbreakable code to aid the Allies. The story highlights Ned's experiences from boarding school to boot camp, his role as a code talker, and his combat experiences across the Pacific, culminating in the recognition of the code talkers' contributions post-war. The book contains depictions of racism and the harrowing realities of war.

Joseph Bruchac's Code Talker is widely praised for its engaging storytelling and valuable portrayal of Navajo contributions during World War II. Readers appreciate its historical accuracy and cultural insights, making it an educational resource. Criticisms include a perceived slow pace and occasional repetition, but overall, the novel receives high marks for its unique perspective and compelling narrative.

Readers who appreciate historical fiction, Native American culture, and WWII stories will enjoy Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac. Fans of Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse or Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief will find similar themes of personal courage and cultural identity woven into a compelling narrative.

Informative / Emotional / Inspirational / Bittersweet / Hopeful

Joseph Bruchac

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Before You Read

Explore Code Talker reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read Code Talker | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore Code Talker and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

Code Talker Summary and Study Guide

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

Code Talker Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-8

Code Talker Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 9-12

Code Talker Chapters 9-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 13-16

Code Talker Chapters 13-16 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 17-20

Code Talker Chapters 17-20 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 21-24

Code Talker Chapters 21-24 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 25-29

Code Talker Chapters 25-29 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

Code Talker Character Analysis

theme

Themes

Code Talker Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Code Talker Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

Code Talker Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

Code Talker Essay Topics

Code Talker Teaching Unit

Introduction

Code Talker Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

Reading Context

Code Talker Reading Context

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Code Talker Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Answer Key

Code Talker Reading Questions Answer Key

After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Code Talker Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Activity

Code Talker Activity

Essay Questions

Code Talker Essay Questions

Exam Questions

Code Talker Cumulative Exam Questions

Exam Answer Key

Code Talker Exam Answer Key

Code Talker

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read Code Talker?

Reading Age

Book Details