This is solid, important historical fiction that does exactly what it sets out to do: honor the Navajo code talkers and educate young readers about a classified chapter of WWII. Joseph Bruchac brings respect and cultural authenticity to the story, and the grandfather-to-grandchildren framing device is a smart choice that creates emotional safety.
The enrichment value is high—kids will learn about both the heroism of the code talkers and the painful irony of the boarding school system. That said, it's not a page-turner for every kid. The pacing is deliberate, the structure is traditional, and some modern readers may find it a bit slow compared to contemporary YA.
It's not going to compete with Hunger Games for sheer readability, but for the right reader—especially one interested in WWII, Native American history, or military stories—this is a meaningful, well-crafted book that deserves its accolades.






