Code Talkers and Tonto...

I loved Code Talkers for the soul purpose of being able to teach a unit with a social studies class. The novel has so many great things you could teach, but nothing seems to have touched me as much as the history surrounded by the book. Bruchac wrote a powerful book with the history of the Navajo and how they were put through years of hateful discrimination. They overcame this negativity and were the missing puzzle piece to winning World war II. The book touched ground on things people may not have normally thought of while thinking of American Indians. Navajo's were put through so much, even though they were here before white people. I think this book not only could be used in a World War II aspect, but even a racial discrimination lesson.
In 463, we have discussions with small group and can have the option to be a travel tracer or even look up information about the author. I have never felt so strongly about applying those concepts in a classroom until I read this book because of the issues surrounding the novel. To be able to make a map of all the places Ned has been and the experiences he has had. The book would do wonders in either a English or History class.

I didn't like the Alexie book because of the tense changes and narrative style. It bothered me throughout the novel enough to where I could hardly finish the book. It was bothersome because the stories seemed to jump around. There was no rhythm. A couple of the stories within the novel were good, but others dragged on FOREVER. For the longest while I thought Victor was the main character, I guess he was for awhile. Didn't like the book. Nothing more about it to say.