- fascinating view of one Navajo code talker’s experience in WWII
- a grandfather encourages and inspires his grandson who doesn’t want to move
- convo: a man enlists with the Marines knowing he was younger than the minimum age allowed, brief but somewhat graphic war scene description*, mentions one man being tortured for info
- includes part of the original code in the back
Type: biographical picture book
Ages: 8+
Author: Sara Hoagland Hunter
Illustrator: Julia Miner
*A man speaks of almost drowning, how a clear creek was soon blood, and how he had to run past fallen soldiers and keep going in his code job. Later he mentions how a fellow American almost killed him, thinking he was the enemy.
Our family has read multiple books on the Navajo code talkers, but this was a new angle for us. The grandfather telling his story to his grandson made it become that much more alive and gripping.
Be sure to note the conversation points above for sensitive children. If you think they can handle talking about it, this picture book is a solid way to introduce the topic. It’s well-written and I recommend it!