Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War II

by: Joseph Bruchac

ISBN: 9780803729216

Bibliography:

Bruchac, Joseph. 2005. Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two. New York: Dial Books.

Plot:

This story follows the life of Ned Begay, a young Navajo boy who is sent to boarding school at the age of 6 in order to learn the ways of the white man in order to help his people. When Ned gets older, he decides to enlist in the Marines so that he can help his country fight Japan in World War II. He becomes a code talker, which is a top-secret mission in which one sends and receives messages in Navajo so that the enemy cannot intercept and interpret important military messages.

Analysis:

Code Talker, set during World War II, tells a story which accurately describes historical events that are little known to most. By telling this story, Bruchac provides a voice for the many Navajo code talkers, who were never honored for their role in helping the United States defeat Japan in World War II. This story touches on themes of honor, selflessness, and the importance of preserving one's culture.

Many cultural markers are evident throughout the story as Ned describes Navajo traditions, customs, language, and ways of life. Ned uses corn pollen throughout the story when he prays, which is a common tradition of the Navajo. Bruchac also intersperses Navajo language throughout the text to show examples of the code that the Navajo marines used when sending and receiving messages to convey vital military information.

The character, Ned, like many Navajos, was discriminated against during boarding school when his teachers forced him to give up his Navajo language and traditions. Another example of racism occurs when Ned returns home from war and enters a bar to get a coke, and the bartender refused to serve him because he was Navajo: “Although I had changed, the things that had made me feel sad and ashamed when I was in boarding school had stayed the same. It didn’t matter that I had fought for America. It didn’t matter that I had made white friends who would have sacrificed their lives to save me when we were at war. In the eyes of those prejudiced bilagaanaas (white men) in that bar, I was just another stupid Navajo.”

Review Excerpts:

Library Media Connection: "Bruchac's voice as a master storyteller weaves stories, characters, and research into a compelling story of war, sacrifice, and personal journey. Heavily researched, this is a novel of still little known part of history within a culture and the larger United States that will leave readers with a different perspective of World War II.”

School Library Journal: “Bruchac's gentle prose presents a clear historical picture of young men in wartime, island hopping across the Pacific, waging war in the hells of Guadalcanal, Bougainville, and Iwo Jima. Nonsensational and accurate, Bruchac's tale is quietly inspiring.”

Connections:

*Other works by Bruchac:

The Girl Who Helped the Thunder and Other Native American Folktales ISBN: 9781402732638

The Arrow Over the Door ISBN: 9780141305714

Bearwalker ISBN: 9780061123092

A Boy Called Slow: the True Story of Sitting Bull ISBN: 9780698116160

Buffalo Song ISBN: 9781584302803

The First Strawberries: A Cherokee Story ISBN: 9780140564099

*Check out Joseph Bruchac's Website:

http://www.josephbruchac.com/

Jingle Dancer

by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu

ISBN: 9780688162429

Bibliography:

Smith, Cynthia Leitich. 2000. Jingle Dancer. Ill by Cornerlius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu. New York: Morrow Junior Books.

Plot:

Jenna, a young, modern-day girl of Muscogee and Ojibway descent wants to dance like her grandmother in the upcoming powwow and needs four rows of jingles for her dress. She visits family and friends in her neighborhood to find enough jingles so that her dress will sing.

Analysis:

This story takes place in a modern-day, intertribal community in Oklahoma. The theme of this story is about sharing with others. Cultural markers are woven throughout this story in the beautiful illustrations and in many motifs of the culture, such as the dress of the characters, the custom of the powwow, the closeness of family, and the food that is eaten by the characters. The watercolor illustrations beautifully illustrate the modern-day images of these Native peoples as well as the traditional dress at the powwow. Bright, colorful dresses with jingles and beaded moccasins adorn the pages depicting the powwow scenes. Smith does an excellent job of depicting this modern-day intertribal neighborhood by describing the homes in which the characters live and by describing their modern-day lives.

The importance of the number four, which is a sacred number to many Native people, is evident throughout the text. Jenna needed four rows of jingles for her dress. She went in search of the jingles in the four directions at four different residences. The author also illustrates the sounds of the story in groups of four to describe the beat of the drum, “brum, brum, brum, brum” and the sounds of the jingles, “tink, tink, tink, tink”.

At the end of the story, Jenna, with her four rows of jingles, dances for all those that have kindly shared their jingles with her: “As the light blurred silver, Jenna danced for Great-aunt Sis, whose legs ached, for Mrs. Scott who sold fry bread, for Elizabeth who worked on her big case, and for Grandma Wolfe who warmed like the sun. Tink, tink tink tink.”

Review Excerpts:

Booklist: “This contemporary Native American tale highlights the importance of family and community through a young girl's dream of joining the dancers at the next powwow. The colorful, well-executed watercolor illustrations lend warmth to the story. A note explaining Jenna's heritage and a brief glossary are appended.”

Library Talk: “Jenna, a young Native American of Muscogee and Ojibway heritage, longs to dance the jingle dance at a powwow. This dance, in which females dance with jingling cones on their dresses, is authentically depicted by Smith, who is herself a member of the Muscogee Nation. Jenna repeatedly watches her Grandma Wolfe dancing on a VCR tape and wishes for a dress full of the jingling cones. Unfortunately, there is no time to order the tin to be rolled into jingles before the powwow. Jenna needs four rows of jingles for her dress, so she borrows jingles from other female family members and friends, taking only one row from each woman because she doesn't want their dresses to "lose their voices."

Connections:

*Check out Cynthia Leitich Smith's Website:

http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/

*Other works by Cynthia Leitich Smith:

Indian Shoes ISBN: 9780060295318

Tantalize ISBN: 9780763640590

Holler Loudly ISBN: 9780525422563 (This books comes out in November.)

Eternal ISBN: 9780763635732

The Afterlife

By Gary Soto

ISBN: 9780152047740

Bibliography:

Soto, Gary. 2003. The Afterlife. Orlando: Harcourt.

Plot:

Seventeen-year old Chuy is murdered in the restroom of Club Estrella as he prepares to meet his friend, Rachel, at the dance. Chuy struggles to make sense of his new existence in the afterlife as he recounts events and people from his life that he will soon leave behind.

Analysis:

Soto bravely addresses the unknown as he describes what happens to seventeen-year old Chuy after his life is senselessly cut short by a thug in the restroom of a dance hall. This story is about the acceptance of one’s mortality. The images evoked in the murder scene are brutal and thought provoking. These senseless acts of violence occur every day to sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, and other loved ones. Such events evoke questions about why a life is cut short and what happens when one dies.

This story takes place in Latino neighborhoods in Fresno, as Chuy revisits people and places from his life such as friends and family and the local panaderia (bakery). Soto intersperses rich, Spanish words throughout the text to give the reader a true sense of Chuy’s culture. The use of Spanish words also conveys how the characters relate to one another like in the following quote: “I was thinking of Angel and me, and our past. This was all we had. The past. He was mi carnal (my blood brother), the guy I hung with. I was going to miss him and our crazy ways.” Culture is also represented by foods such as menudo and by mention of the magazine, People in Espanol.

Chuy is a kind soul in life and in death. He tries to save a homeless man who is dying from a fever. He helps Crystal, another teen whose life ended too soon, navigate this new “afterlife”. They each visit their families one last time before vanishing into the afterlife: “My dream had been to grow up, work a regular job, nothing special, hang out with friends, and be with someone special like Crystal. I received a portion of that dream and felt grateful for it. I loved her like no other. She flew at my side, southward toward what, I now knew, is called the afterlife.”

Review Excerpts:

Booklist: “Soto has remade Our Town into Fresno, California, and he not only paints the scenery brilliantly but also captures the pain that follows an early death. In many ways, this is as much a story about a hardscrabble place as it is about a boy who is murdered. Both pulse with life and will stay in memory.”

Publisher’s Weekly: "Soto pens a sort of Lovely Bones for the young adult set, filled with hope and elegance," said PW. "The author counterbalances difficult ideas with moments of genuine tenderness as well as a provocative lesson about the importance of savoring every moment."

Connections:

*Other Works by Gary Soto:

Accidental Love ISBN: 9780152061135

Chato's Kitchen ISBN: 9780698116009

Marisol ISBN: 9781584859727

Partly Cloudy: Poems of Love and Longing ISBN: 9780152063016

Too Many Tamales ISBN: 9780698114128

*Check out Gary Soto's Website:

http://www.garysoto.com/

Esperanza Rising

By Pam Munoz Ryan

ISBN: 9780439576178

Bibliography:

Ryan, Pam Muñoz. 2000. Esperanza Rising. New York: Scholastic Press.

Plot:

Twelve-year old Esperanza Ortega’s life changes dramatically when she goes from riches to rags after her father is murdered and her powerful and greedy uncles snatch up her father’s ranch. In order to escape from the oppressive uncle that wishes to marry her mother and send Esperanza away to boarding school, Esperanza and her mother, along with their servants, flee to America to become migrant workers in hopes of finding a better life.

Analysis:

This thought-provoking story takes place during the Great Depression and masterfully sheds light on issues that plagued Mexican-American migrant workers in the past and highlights issues that still affect immigrants today. Some of these issues include: racism, cultural differences, and the exploitation of Mexican migrant workers. Ryan thoughtfully conveys the importance of family in the Mexican culture by showing how families in the migrant camps depended on each member of the family to help contribute to the family unit in some way whether it was by helping to care for siblings, help with chores, or work in the fields. Ryan masterfully depicts the transformation of Esperanza from a spoiled rich kid into a hard-working responsible young woman who takes care of her mother when duty calls.

Ryan intersperses Spanish words throughout the text, which helps to authentically connect the reader to the Spanish culture. Racism is another cultural marker as exemplified in the following quote when Esperanza asks Miguel why they have to drive so far to go to the Japanese market when there are others that are closer: “Some of the other market owners aren’t as kind to Mexicans as Mr. Yakota. Esperanza, people here [in the United States] think we are all uneducated, dirty, poor, and unskilled. It does not occur to them that many have been trained in professions in Mexico.”

After the uncles had burned down the house, Abuelita says, “Do you remember the story of the phoenix, the lovely bird that is reborn from its own ashes? We are like the phoenix. Rising again with a new life ahead of us.” This quote is very meaningful because it is representative of all immigrants that come to the United States hoping for a new life.

In the author’s note Ryan mentions that this story is based on her grandmother, Esperanza. In the story, she describes characters faced with the difficult decision of striking to try to get higher wages, which could mean the loss of work or continuing to work under poor conditions and being shunned by striking members of the group. Her grandmother says, “We were all so poor. We all knew the feeling of wanting to work and feed our families. That was why it was so hard for so many of us to strike.” She also explains that they focused only on survival and put all of their hopes and dreams into their children’s and grandchildren’s futures.

Review Excerpts:

Booklist: “Set during the Great Depression, the story weaves cultural, economic, and political unrest into Esperanza's poignant tale of growing up: she witnesses strikes, government sweeps, and deep injustice while finding strength and love in her family and romance with a childhood friend. The symbolism is heavy-handed, as when Esperanza ominously pricks her finger on a rose thorn just before her father is killed. But Ryan writes movingly in clear, poetic language that children will sink into, and the book offers excellent opportunities for discussion and curriculum support.”

Horn Book: “In this poignant look at the realities of immigration, thirteen-year-old Esperanza, daughter of an affluent Mexican rancher, is forced to trade fancy dolls and dresses for hard work and ill-fitting hand-me-downs after her beloved father dies. Laboring in the United States, picking grapes on someone else's land for pennies an hour, Esperanza is transformed into someone who can take care of herself and others.”

Connections:

*Other books by Pam Munoz Ryan

Becoming Naomi Leon ISBN: 9780439269971

The Dreamer ISBN: 9780439269704

Paint the Wind ISBN: 9780545101769

Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride ISBN: 9780590960755

Riding Freedom ISBN: 9780439087964

*Check out Pam Munoz Ryan's Website:

http://www.pammunozryan.com/

Dona Flor

By Pat Mora
Illustrated by Raul Colon
ISBN: 9780375923371

Bibliography:

Mora, Pat. 2005. Doña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman With a Great Big Heart. Ill. by Raúl Colón. New York: Knopf.

Plot:

This story is about Dona Flor, a beautiful and giving gentle giant who shares her loving nature with all people, animals, and plants. She lovingly takes care of and provides for the people in her village. One day when the people feel threatened by the sound of a giant, roaring puma, Dona Flor makes it her mission to find this dangerous puma. When she eventually finds it, she discovers that it is a harmless, little puma simply creating a loud echo through a hollow log. She befriends and tames the cat, and alerts the people that they are safe.

Analysis:

This tall tale takes place in a village of the American Southwest surrounded by beautiful swirling mountains and lush green trees. Mora describes how Dona Flor became a giant in the following quote: “When Flor was a baby, her mother sang to her in a voice sweet as river music. When Flor’s mother sang to her corn plants, they grew tall as trees, and when she sang to her baby, her sweet flower, Flor grew and grew, too. Dona Flor possesses the gift of being able to speak the languages of all of the animals. As the heroine of this story, she sets a beautiful example of kindness and helpfulness and loves even the smallest and most insignificant of creatures.

Mora intersperses Spanish throughout the text to connect with Spanish culture as in the following quote: “Flor wanted everyone to feel at home in her house. Mi casa es su casa, she said to people, animals, and plants, so they knew they were welcome.”Colon’s beautiful, swirling scratchboard images create magical sceneries of adobe homes and landscapes. The artwork is brilliantly colorful and authentically represents Spanish cultures.

Review Excerpts:

School Library Journal: "There is great texture and movement on each page in the sun-baked tones of the landscape. With Spanish words peppered throughout, this is a welcome entry to the canon that includes other heroines like Sally Ann Thunder and Thunder Rose."

Booklist: "A winning read-aloud, particularly for children who can recognize the intermittent Spanish phrases."

Connections:

*Other works by Pat Mora:

Yum! Mmmm! Que Rico!: Ameria's Sproutings ISBN: 9781584302711

Abuelos ISBN: 9780888997166

Tomas and the Library Lady ISBN: 9780375803499

* Check out Pat Mora's Website

http://www.patmora.com

Locomotion

By: Jacqueline Woodson

ISBN: 978039923155

Bibliography:

Woodson, Jacqueline. 2003. Locomotion. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Plot:

Eleven-year old, Lonnie, continues to struggle to make sense of his life four years after his parents die in a house fire. Separated from his younger sister, Lili, who was adopted by another family, Lonnie struggles to keep what is left of his family together. Finally in a stable foster home, he begins to cope with his grief when he is encouraged by his teacher to write about his feelings.

Analysis:

Woodson masterfully captures our attention by evoking visceral emotions as we experience this journey of loss, grief, survival, and healing along with Lonnie in this beautiful story, which is written entirely in poetic verse. The following touching quote from the book exemplifies the healing power of writing in Lonnie’s life: “Writing makes me remember. It’s like my whole family comes back again when I write. All of them right here like somebody pushed the Rewind button.” This story reflects the theme that Lonnie’s memories are much more powerful than death. Nothing can take the memories that Lonnie has of his mother and father, and he can summon these images at any time. This sends a message of hope to readers. Though we suffer tragedies in our lives, we can still find the strength and will to go on.

Cultural markers evident in this story include: language, names of characters, forms of address, and music. Woodson uses rich language such as cornrows to describe hair and kicks to name shoes. Many of the characters have African-American names such as LaTenya and Lamont, and the young characters use forms of address such as, “Dog”. This language helps create imagery, which immerses us in the culture. An example of another cultural marker is the discussion in Lonnie’s classroom about how hip-hop music is a form of poetry.

The setting of this story encompasses life in the inner city with boys playing "hoops", pigeons nesting on buildings, and bus rides across town. We also become observers in Lonnie's classroom, where his teacher encourages him to "write it down before it leaves your brain". The setting also consists of Lonnie's memories of a happy life with his mother, father, and Lili. These images and memories are described throughout Lonnie's poetry book which is indeed a healing process for him.

Review Excerpts:

Horn Book: “Fifth-grader Lonnie has a teacher who introduces him to poetry and makes him believe in his writing. Woodson, however, more ably convinces us that her protagonist really does have a gift. The sixty poems are skillfully and artfully composed--but still manage to sound fresh and spontaneous. The accessible form will attract readers; Woodson's finely crafted story won't let them go.”

School Library Journal: “The author places the characters in nearly unbearable circumstances, then lets incredible human resiliency shine through. "I sneak a pen from my back pocket/bend down low like I dropped something /The chorus marches up behind the preacher/clapping and humming and getting ready to sing. /I write the word HOPE on my hand.”

Connections:

*Other works by Jacqueline Woodson:

Peace, Locomotion ISBN: 9780142415122

Feathers ISBN: 9780142415504

Hush ISBN: 9780142415511

Miracle Boys ISBN: 9780142415535

After Tupac and D Foster ISBN: 9780142413999

Behind You ISBN: 9780142415542

Between Madison and Palmetto ISBN: 9780698119581

The Dear One ISBN: 9780142501900

*This book could be used to introduce different forms of poetry to students.

Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshall

By: Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Illustrated By: R. Gregory Christie

ISBN: 9780822567646

Bibliography:

Nelson, Vaunda Micheaux. 2009. Bad News for Outlaws: the Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal. Ill. by Gregory Christie. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books.

Plot:

This book chronicles the life of Bass Reeves, a larger than life lawman who was born into slavery and eventually became one of the most widely known and respected lawmen of his time.

Analysis:

Readers will be immediately drawn into this story, which begins with a shoot-out in Indian Territory in 1884 in which Bass is forced to kill or be killed by a ruthless outlaw. Bass is described as being big and strong yet "having nothing but right in his heart". A major theme in the story is how Bass overcame slavery to become a phenomenal lawman despite not knowing how to read.

The only multicultural markers detected in this story include the illustrations and the topic of slavery. The amazing, impressionistic images by Gregory Christie depict Bass as a handsome, strong, and courageous, African-American man. Slavery is also an important marker in this story. Even as a slave, Bass seemed happy and often sang while he worked. Things change when Bass had a disagreement with his owner. Nelson and Christie reveal the darkness and fear that Bass felt as he ran for his life through the woods to escape certain death. The use of dark colors helps to set the tone for this terrifying event in Bass's life. The fact that Bass overcame slavery to become something great can bring great hope to the reader.

In the author's note Nelson says, "Bass's story is so remarkable, it comes close to sounding like a tall tale. But it isn't. It's true. And I've done my best to tell it true." Through this work, Nelson and Christie can educate the world about the amazing person that Bass Reeves was and keep his story alive.

Review Excerpts:

Horn Book Starred: “Bass Reeves, born a slave, captured over three thousand outlaws as a deputy U.S. marshal. This captivating biography is told in language as colorful as Reeves's career. Accentuated with a palette knife, Christie's sharply textured paintings create an impressionist background of an unformed land as well as detailed portraits of Reeves, his bold black hat conveying unmistakable authority.”

Library Media Connection: “This is a well-written and beautifully-illustrated picture book biography of Bass Reeves, U.S. Marshal of the Wild West. His childhood background as a slave is discussed. The majority of the book is devoted to his conquests of law-breakers in the Indian Territory, as he brought criminals to justice throughout the West. His ability to communicate with Native Americans, cowboys, and pioneers is described, along with his triumph in overcoming prejudice directed toward him as an African American. Richly illustrated with watercolors, and appended with a glossary, timeline, and a bibliography/webliography, this is a very worthwhile purchase for biography collections.”

Connections:
*This book paired with the following book for a compare/contrast activity:

Gary Paulsen. The Legend of Bass Reeves : Being the True and Fictional Account of the Most Valiant Marshal in the West. ISBN 9780385746618

*Other books by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson:

Almost to Freedom ISBN: 9781575053424

Juneteenth ISBN: 9780822559740

Ready, Set. Raymond! ISBN: 9780375813634

Who Will I Be, Lord? ISBN: 9780375843426