Thomas H. Begay and the Navajo Code Talkers

by Alysa Landry (Author)

Thomas H. Begay and the Navajo Code Talkers

The life story of this World War II Navajo Code Talker introduces middle-grade readers to an unforgettable person and offers a close perspective on aspects of Navajo (or Diné) history and culture.

Thomas H. Begay was one of the young Navajo men who, during World War II, invented and used a secret, unbreakable communications code based on their native Diné language to help win the war in the Pacific. Although the book includes anecdotes from other code talkers, its central narrative revolves around Begay. It tells his story, from his birth near the Navajo reservation, his childhood spent herding sheep, his adolescence in federally mandated boarding schools, and ultimately, his decision to enlist in the US Marine Corps.

Alysa Landry relies heavily on interviews with Begay, who, as of this writing, is in his late nineties and one of only three surviving code talkers. Begay's own voice and sense of humor make this book particularly significant in that it is the only Code Talker biography for young readers told from a soldier's perspective. Begay was involved with the book every step of the way, granting Landry unlimited access to his military documents, personal photos, and oral history. Additionally, Begay's family contributed by reading and fact-checking the manuscript. This truly is a unique collaborative project.

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Review quotes

"Codetalker Begay is a courageous, charismatic, and charitable warrior. His story will be carried by the four winds from generation to generation. May his passion for freedom live in all of us."—Russell Begaye, former president of the Navajo Nation
Alysa Landry

Alysa Landry teaches English, journalism, and creative writing at the Navajo Nation's Diné College. She has written for Navajo Times-Diné bi Naltsoos, Indian Country Today, the Searchlight New Mexico news organization, and other publications.

Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780821425053
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Ohio University Press
Publication date
March 07, 2023
Series
Biographies for Young Readers
BISAC categories
JNF025130 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | Military & Wars
JNF018040 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | United States - Native American
JNF007000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | General
Library of Congress categories
History
United States
World War, 1939-1945
Navajo Indians
Indian troops
Cryptography
Navajo code talkers
Armed Forces
Participation, Indian
Begay, Thomas H.

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