Once again, the individual Native Americans are lost in history.
Persecuted by the U.S. government, many Navajo children were forced to give up their language in boarding schools established in the 19th century and designed to eradicate Native American culture.
Ironically this language would be used during World War II as a secret code by American military forces in the Pacific. Although other Native Americans became Code Talkers, the Navajo were the largest in number (about 420). Their unusual achievement was kept a secret until 1968, when new technologies superseded Navajo code-talking and “the heroic story of the People could be told.” This powerfully illustrated large-format informational picture book provides the outline of both that story and the code itself, which used Navajo words to represent Roman letters, employing them as substitutes for English words, such as chay-da-gahi (“tortoise”) to mean “tank.” Illustrated samples are given in the text, but it still may not be enough for all readers to fully understand how the code worked. The somber pastel drawings are striking, and the ironic situation—a language once vilified that becomes an almost magical weapon—is made evident, but it is too bad readers aren’t given glimpses of the men who participated in this endeavor. The only people named are Philip Johnston, “an Anglo missionary’s son who had grown up with the Navajo” and who suggested the idea, and Marine Maj. Howard Connor, a white officer.
Once again, the individual Native Americans are lost in history. (endnotes, artist’s notes, selected bibliography) (Informational picture book. 9-12)Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-56846-295-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Creative Editions/Creative Company
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2016
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2016
A well-researched, idealistic tribute.
In the distant future, a diverse classroom spends a day giving presentations about the tragic and still relevant accident of the space shuttle Challenger.
It’s “Challenger Day” on the fictional Space Station Sagan, exactly 400 years after Challenger’s 1986 explosion. The kids on Sagan, drawn with cartoon-style big heads and wide-eyed expressions, sound like today’s middle schoolers but use holo-pads and virtual reality instead of paper and projectors. Fatima, who is brown-skinned and wears a hijab, presents first, showing labeled diagrams of the shuttle and its flight path. The presentation assumes knowledge of aerospace terms such as propellant and thrust; classmate Chris, also dark-skinned, might be speaking for many readers when he exclaims, “I feel like you gotta be some sort of rocket scientist to understand all this!” He then introduces the class to holographic projections of the Challenger crew, who cheerfully—and quite eerily—explain their backgrounds and give the 24th-century kids a chance to decry racism as “hatred” that no longer exists. Next, the teacher, who presents White, goes over the events of the launch in the most straightforward, evocative, and beautifully designed and illustrated part of the book. Max, a White-presenting student, describes the investigation into the accident, lionizing Richard Feynman without mentioning his sexism. Carmen, who has light-brown skin, waxes lyrical about space and other pioneers who faced “setbacks” but “kept going.” The facts are there, seen through rosy lenses.
A well-researched, idealistic tribute. (introduction, afterword, additional facts) (Graphic nonfiction. 9-12)Pub Date: Oct. 27, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-250-17429-1
Page Count: 128
Publisher: First Second
Review Posted Online: Aug. 31, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
Enjoyable and educational.
Explore the lives of young people who have changed our world.
Readers will recognize a few names in this collective biography that samples from a range of backgrounds and disciplines, including visual arts, science, activism, drama, and music. The book is divided into five topical sections. Within, each young subject is profiled in a double-page spread that delves into their life and accomplishments. Colorful illustrations are scattered across each spread, often joined by photographs when possible. The diversity in passions is matched by the diversity in geography, time period, and race; several had or have disabilities. Readers will discover contemporaries (Greta Thunberg and Marley Dias) as well as young people who made an impact long ago (Pocahontas and Blaise Pascal). The language throughout is straightforward, and analogies and explanations are written with an age-appropriate tone. For example, when explaining the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in a piece on Dutch environmental activist Boyan Slat, the text relates, “Ocean currents constantly move the waters in the seas around the world. Rubbish gets carried by these currents but ends up gathering together in a few calm spots on the planet, a bit like all the rubbish in your bedroom ending up under your bed”—a simple and child-friendly explanation. Sadly, some facts, such as Pocahontas’ real name, Matoata, are omitted. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11.5-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.)
Enjoyable and educational. (timeline, glossary, index) (Collective biography. 9-12)Pub Date: March 9, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-5344-8515-0
Page Count: 112
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: Dec. 24, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Follow
Popular in this Genre
We can’t wait for you to join Kirkus!
It’s free and takes less than 10 seconds!
Already have an account? Log in.
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
Welcome Back!
OR
Sign in with GoogleTrouble signing in? Retrieve credentials.
