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![]() An author’s note adds detail and context. Amini-Holmes’ striking illustrations bring these contrasts to life, merging both of Chester’s lives while keeping them distinctly separate. The tragic irony of Chester’s life may be lost on young readers, but older ones may ask salient questions about a society that forbade Navajo ways until they were useful. military, developing the code that results in the enemy’s defeat, brings him both trauma and honor. It is a story of conflict: Chester lends his skills to the very power that fought his people. This is a story of forced adaptation: Chester learns English and Christian prayers in order to survive, while maintaining his Navajo identity. Despite his own despair, Chester stays strong and comforts other children when nightmares plague them. When Betoli is taken to boarding school at the age of eight, his name is changed to Chester, his head shaved, and his language forbidden. The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (00/06/18)īooklist - Bruchac distills his extensive knowledge about the Navajo code talkers in this complex biography for young readers. Illustrator:ĭownload a Teacher's Guide Accelerated Reader Information: World War, 1939-1945 - Native American participationĪs a boy, Chester Nez was taught his native language and culture were useless, but he was later called on to use his Navajo language to help create an unbreakable military code during WWII. ![]() ![]() ![]() World War, 1939-1945 - American personal narratives Chester Nez and the unbreakable code : a Navajo code talker's story ![]()
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