Code Talker

I recently just read a book about the role that the Navajo Native Americans played in the conflict with Japan, this book was really interesting, and I learned a whole lot of cool information that I had never known, and may never have known if I hadn't read this book.

In this book the author describes the role that the Navajo Native Americans played in the conflict against Japan. The Navajos were vital to communicating within the ranks of the U.S. military, they were used as code talkers, and because their language was so different, and so complicated, the Japanese would have absolutely no chance of ever decoding their messages.

The story that I am responding to is told from the perspective of one teenage Navajo boy who is determined to fight for his homeland, even though his homeland is no longer in the hands of his people. The Navajo boy faces many challenges just getting into the army, he is under aged, and very small for his age. But even against the odds the boy is able to get into the army. From there he learns that he along with dozens of other Navajo men have been selected to create, and perform with a code. The code is to be based on the Navajo language, being that it is almost impossible for a non- Navajo to understand it ever.

I think that this book is really interesting, and it probably taught me some of the most interesting non- fiction information I have ever learned from a book. I think it is cool that this secret was kept so well and for so long, and I am amazed that I have never heard of the code talkers being that they were such important individuals.

Book Response

Taking it too far. Sometimes a joke goes too far, and someone gets hurt. Sometimes a prank doesn't work quite right, and someone gets hurt. When you are doing something you have to be aware of the consequences. People can get hurt, without you meaning to hurt them, you shouldn't do things that are risky, illegal or dangerous that involve other people. Because when someone gets killed, your tight.

In the book, Swear To Howdy by, Wendelin Van Draanen The two main characters, Joey and Rusty are best friends. One night Joey and Rusty are out by the river at night, they sneak out a lot, and tonight they have a plan. Joey decide they should make a fake ghost and scare someone. But the plan goes all wrong. They scare the driver of the car so bad they she drives into a pole. When they find out the next day that the driver was Amanda Jane, Joeys big sister, and that she's dead, they feel absolutely terrible.

Everyone makes mistakes, its part of life, making mistakes, trying to fix them and make them right. And then learning from them. But when you make a mistake you should admit it, you should come out and say that you did it. If it is just a little mistake then it's fine, don't bother coming out with it. Then you'll just get in trouble for a little thing. If it is a big mistake and it actually affects someone in a major way, or if people have been hurt, you need to come out with it. Or else the guilt will eat away at your soul little by little until you can't stand to look at yourself in the mirror.

Joey and Rusty have made lots of mistakes together while planning their adventures. Once they were shooting squirrels that were digging up Joey's driveway, and they accidentally shot Joey's Dad's cat, Mouser. But they didn't come out with it, because they figured they would get into more trouble than it was worth, so they swore to Howdy they'd never tell a soul. When they accidentally helped cause Amanda Jane's death, they couldn't keep it a secret, they tried and were successful for several days. But the guilt was too much, and when Joey tried to shoot himself in the mouth, Rusty decided it was time to tell the truth, for once.

People make mistakes, everyone does. Some things are best kept a secret, and some things aren't. People need to be careful, even if it is just a joke, it can still hurt someone. Even if it was an accident, it still happened. Nothing goes perfectly as planned, and if you hurt someone, or mess something up, you should admit it. Everything has consequences and you need to be prepared for them.