(3) K-3 Illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes. Young Chester Nez was sent to a missionary boarding school that taught English, but he ignored his teachers by retaining his native Navajo language and culture. As a soldier in World War II, Chester became one of the original Navajo code talkers, helping to defeat the Japanese. Muted illustrations enhance the informative biography. A portion of the Navajo code is appended. Timeline.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 Alternator Books: Heroes of World War II series. This series provides readers with insights beyond the usual recounting of battles and politics commonly found in juvenile WWII resources, focusing instead on more personal aspects of the war and on anecdotes of heroism. Maps and archival images enrich the clear, informative texts; periodic "Hero Highlight" and "STEM Highlight" sidebars provide interesting context and detail. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Alternator Books: Heroes of World War II titles: D-Day Invasion, World War II Resistance Fighters, Navajo Code Talkers, World War II Spies and Secret Agents, Attack on Pearl Harbor, and Japanese American Internment Camps.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) 4-6 In alternating narratives, Larson relates the World War II tales of Billie, an eleven-year-old girl, and a Marine named Denny, a Navajo Code Talker. The story focuses on Billie's longing for friendship and Denny's desire to preserve his Navajo heritage. Bear, an abused dog rescued by Denny and given to Billie, brings the two together. Historical fiction lovers will be drawn to the heartwarming story.

Reviewer: Luther B. Clegg

(3) PS Illustrated by Jonathan Nelson. In Diné (Navajo) culture, the First Laugh Ceremony "expresses the parents' hope that their child will always be friendly, kind, and caring." This story about a baby growing up in the city but with grandparents on the Navajo Nation offers a not-often-seen glimpse of contemporary Native American life. Pencil, ballpoint-pen, and Photoshop illustrations contrast urban and rural living. Appended notes include other traditional baby celebrations.

Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Gary Kelley. Lewis and Kelley (And the Soldiers Sang; Harlem Hellfighters) respectfully relate the story of roughly 420 Navajo code talkers who helped the U.S. win World War II by using their native language for secret military communications. Lewis emphasizes the extraordinary nature of their achievement after a century of unjust treatment by the government. Kelley's illustrations evoke classic (and violent) wartime images and Native American iconography. Bib.

Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter

(4) 4-6 Eyewitness to World War II series. Each book in this series looks at a specific aspect of World War II with an emphasis on first-hand accounts. The age-appropriate prose is engaging but provides minimum background information, making the volumes better as supplementary texts for interested young readers. Relevant black-and-white photographs throughout enhance the presentations. There are four other spring 2016 books in this series. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers these Eyewitness to World War II titles: The Tuskegee Airmen, The Dropping of the Atomic Bomb, The Navajo Code Talkers, and The Role of Women in World War II.

Reviewer: Kristy Pasquariello

(3) 4-6 Fact Finders: Military Heroes series. An accessible text presents the history of the Marines' Navajo Code Talkers, who secretly transmitted coded messages to one another during World War II. Short paragraphs and concise sidebars contrast the oppression of the Navajo people with their importance to the American victory in the war. Black-and-white photos highlight the Code Talkers as individuals. Critical thinking questions are appended. Reading list, timeline. Glos., ind.

Reviewer: Siena Leslie

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Johnson Yazzie. Cinnibah sets out to have her mother's metate (grinding stone) repaired. Along the way, she meets the moccasin maker and potter, who help her find the stone cutter. Though wordy, this bilingual story, in English and Navajo, has warmth. The accompanying illustrations highlight the Southwest's earthy clay tones.

Reviewer: Bridget McCaffrey