Reviews (1)

"World Cultures" more of a world history
I teach 7th grade world cultures and was given this book as my classroom text. I found the text to be very informative but the title is very misleading. Rather than a classroom text on world cultures it was more of a in depth analysis of world history. It failed to include everyday cultural activities such as clothing, habits, beliefs (outside of religion) and everyday life. Too much of each chapter was focused on ancient history without connecting the culture to the modern world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9)    2. History - General    3. Juvenile Nonfiction   

Subjects:  1. Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12)    2. History - Modern    3. Juvenile Nonfiction   

Reviews (2)

Constitution Review
This was a great book.It provided both facts and interesting tibits about the founders.I used it as a resource in my 5th grade inclusion social studies class and they found it both useful and informative.

Good resource!
"They Signed the Constitution" by Elizabeth Levy has become an excellent resource for me to use in the classroom.I teach 7th grade social studies, and we spend 1 quarter of the year on government.My colleague and Ihave used most of this book for the past 3 years tosupplement the rest of the material we use.We have also created aworksheet to be used with it.Students take turns reading aloud in classfrom this book.They find it easy to read and easy to understand,definitely not the dry textbook we're used to reading!I recommend thisbook for elementary and junior high teachers teaching government, as wellas students looking for an easy way to understand part of our earlyAmerican history. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Constitution    4. Constitutional history    5. History - United States/Colonial & Revolutionary    6. Juvenile literature    7. Social Science - Customs, Traditions, Anthropology    8. United States    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / General   

Reviews (7)

Kaya:An American Girl
I started reading the Kaya books to my 6 year old daughter a few months ago, and she loves them.I like how the author takes the reader into the world of Native American culture in a way that is interesting to adults and children.My daughter practices saying the Nez Perce words, which are so conviently located in the glossary in the back of the book.It's helped to open up her world to other cultures right here in our own country.Kaya is a brave girl with anxieties who loves her family;not all that different from our own American girls of today!I highly recommend these books for mothers and daughters to read together when they're young, then have them read them again later on their own.

Kaya Boxed Set
I have this set. It is enjoyable because you don't have to take the books out from a libray. I took the first book out and I also took out the third( the second was taken out). Its nice to have a boxed set so you know where they all are. The books---I enjoyed them alot. But the only thing is that some of the books(like book 1) I didn't enjoy as much as the others. I give this boxed set a high 4 stars!

Excellent Books
Last Christmas, just after she turned 5, my daughter received the present she wanted most--the complete set of Kaya books, her first experience of the American Girls. We began reading them together right away, and she loved them. While the reading level is higher than most of the American Girls books, she had few problems with comprehension as I read the text aloud. She began using many of the Nez Perce words she learned from the story--for some time, her daddy became "Toe-Ta" and I was "Eetsa." Another reviewer complained about the Native American religious beliefs scattered about the text. I found these to be in context for the character (after all, what would one expect given the culture and the time?), and when our faith differs from what is written in the book, it made for some good discussion. Kaya is a character who comes across as real--she makes mistakes, she has doubts, frustrations, and fears. What makes her a great character is that she learns from her mistakes and meets her fears head on with courage. Katie and I look forward to reading more American Girls books together over the years. Our introduction to them has made us eager for more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. General    4. Girls & Women    5. Historical - United States - General    6. Juvenile Fiction    7. People & Places - United States - Native American   

Editorial Review

In spare, almost biblical prose, Gary Paulsen writes of the horrors of combat in a Civil War novella that puts a powerful, more contemporary spin on Stephen Crane's classic Read more

Reviews (153)

it was good
i thought this book was interesting because it was true to the historical of the civil war and it had a nice mixture with the fiction of the story. i thought the ending was very truthfull to the times that the charecter lived, and i liked the hard truth of charley dying in the end because of his wounds

okay book
this book wasnt one of my favorites, it was still a good book but not my style.It needs more sports and not so much emotional drama.

Interest, but only interesting...
A short read about a young man seeking adventure and excitement. Going into a war he thinks nothing big will happen but why miss a chance like this? He soon finds out he was wrong, DEAD wrong. His life soon turns into a nightmare of death and a struggle to survive the savage rebel attacks.
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Subjects:  1. 1861-1865, Civil War    2. Children's 12-Up - History - Military / War    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Civil War, 1861-1865    5. Fiction    6. Historical - General    7. Historical - Military & Wars    8. History    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. Post-traumatic stress disorder    11. United States    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Military & Wars   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History - General History    3. History - U.S.    4. History: American    5. Sources    6. United States    7. United States - General    8. American history    9. History / General    10. USA   

Reviews (82)

boringsville the worlds worst book
This book is horrid dull and long. I won't reccommend it to anyone. Avi doesn't describe war the way it actually is. boooooooooooooooooooo

worst book I have ever read
I did not enjoy this book because it seems like Avi doesn't put thought into what he writes.another thing is that it doesn't hav actuall chapters so its hard to keed track of where you are reading.

The Fighting Ground
The Fighting Ground is a great book about a 15 years old boy named Jonathan who lived in Trenton, New Jersey.This book is set during the American Revolutionary war.America was fighting for its independence from England.
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Fiction    4. Historical - Military & Wars    5. Historical - United States - Colonial    6. Historical fiction    7. History    8. Juvenile fiction    9. Revolution, 1775-1783    10. United States    11. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Military & Wars   

Reviews (19)

I love LH books but...
I love LH books and read them before there was a TV show- I remember how at age 10 I enjoyed reading about Laura and Mary in the Big woods and how facinating it was to read about playing in the attic among all the food and goods the family had in storage. Laura Ingalls Wilder was so decriptive about the foods and acitivities of her childhood that it made you hungry for what they were about to eat and you felt a part of what was going on.
Not just a cookbook
The Little House cookbook is more than a collection of recipes.It's full of historical food tidbits.Each recipe if prefaced with an exerpt from the Little House book where that food is mentioned.This feature lets you know you are recreating a dish that Laura described in her book.Since Ma did not write down her recipes, Barbara Walker had to do research to find similar recipes to those described in the Little House series.But because of the explainations regarding the new recipes, there is no suspicion of unauthentic foods. Plus, they taste great.The white bread is a family favorite.This is 100% recommended for Little House fans and those wanting to explore frontier foods.

6 Stars and more really - wonderful cookbook and book
This is wonderful! It is for fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and also for those who are interested in historic cooking - from prairie and colonial days which have their basis in so many of the cultures which settled America in the early days, and adapted for use there
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Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Cookery, American    4. Cooking & Food    5. History    6. History - United States/19th Century    7. Juvenile literature    8. Literary cookbooks    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Cooking   

Reviews (1)

A different way to learn and enjoy history
The only disadvantage of reading Jody Pott's illustrated history is
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Subjects:  1. Children: Grades 3-4    2. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / General   

Reviews (4)

Education to those not knowing
This book explains the depth the Nazis went to get rid of whole nationalities,races and religions. It teaches readers young and old of how awful the circumstances where and how some survived. They have beautiful pictures, and vivid accounts of survivors. I would recommend this for schools and young children. Some children dont see the importance of this and they will learn that they should not repeat this cruel history, we teach them to learn from past mistakes to prevent the end of the future.

One of the Best Holocaust books to read
This book gives a good explanation of the Holocaust with pictures and everything. I've read many a Holocaust book and this one is one of the best so if your looking for a Holocaust book look no more this is the one.

An inncredible book
To start of this is an very inncredible book. It is ashamed it had to happen, but that is how life is. The book explains great detail of the Holocaust. When I first read this book I wanted to cry it is so emotional. If I had the chance to go back in time I would run away for all of this hatred.I really enjoyed this book, and I really like how Susan wrote it. Next time I will by another good book from her. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Children    2. Children's 12-Up - History - General    3. Children's Books/Young Adult Misc. Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. History - Holocaust    6. Holocaust, Jewish (1939-1945)    7. Jewish children    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. World War, 1939-1945    11. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / Holocaust    12. The Holocaust   

Editorial Review

Although the Little House stories are traditionally seen as "girl" books, boys might be happily surprised if they take another peek at their sisters' shelves. Read more

Reviews (119)

Cheyenne's Exciting Review
Little House in the Big Woods was exciting.In a log cabin set in Wisconsin back in the 1800's, Lara, a 7 year old girl, helped her ma and pa get ready for winter.The frightening
Hayleys's Happy Review
Hayley's Happy Review
Maggie's Magnificent Review

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Subjects:  1. 1867-1957    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 4-6    4. Classics    5. Family - General    6. Family life    7. Fiction    8. Frontier and pioneer life    9. Historical - United States - 19th Century    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Wilder, Laura Ingalls,    12. Wisconsin    13. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / United States / 19th Century    14. Wilder, Laura Ingalls   

Reviews (29)

chrry_cbblr <3
Many people feel sorry for the Japanese Americans that were treated miserably, but they couldn't begin to imagine what they went through. Ben Uchida and his family knew exactly what the experience was like. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Ben feared for his family knowing that the government would automatically point fingers at the Japanese Americans as being spies. The United States government thought it best to take innocent families away from their safe homes and quiet neighborhoods to very dirty and crowded interment camps. The Uchida family and his family were sent to Mirror Lake along with many families. They tiring journey began on a filthy, stained train to the middle of nowhere. Then they were greeted by the military forcing them off the train leaving there bags and things on the train. To make this day better, they realize that they must share an already too small room with another family. Mirror Lake was the name off the internment camp. After months, and months of living a terrible, miserable life, they are released and apologized to. Ben and his family were taken home only to find their house burned to the ground by angry neighbors.The My Name is America series is an excellent series to read if you enjoy to actually get inside the heads of the characters. The Journal of Ben Uchida is a great example of this.
The Journal Of Ben Uchida
This book called the Journal of Ben Uchida is based on a true story and talks about Ben Uchida, who is a prisoner of war basically in a detainee camp called Mirror Lake in the middle of nowhere near San Francisco. Throughout the book he is faced by many problems about what he is to do about the situation and how he should handle things. Some basic things he did not notice before, he now cherishes them for all they are worth. As the story progresses Ben makes new friends and enemies as well. One of the friends (or so it turns out) he made was Mike Masuda. He seemed nice at the start was very caring for them and even started a baseball league inside their camp area, but later on in the story there comes a point when he just snaps and is unkind to everyone else. At the end of the book many of the characters end up dieing in a miserable death, but Ben lives on to tell the story.
Journal Of Ben Uchida
The book The Journal of Ben Uchida by Barry Denenberg is about a boy named Ben Uchida who lives in San Francisco, California in the year 1942. Ben Uchida was a normal kid 13 year-old until the bombing of Pearl Harbor and everything changed, everyone around him started treating him different because he was Japanese. This is the story of Ben and his family having to go to a concentration camp and finding out about everything that is going to happen during his stay and everything that is wrong about.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    2. Children: Grades 4-6    3. Evacuation and relocation, 194    4. Evacuation and relocation, 1942-1945    5. Family - Orphans & Foster Homes    6. Fiction    7. Historical - United States - 20th Century    8. Historical - United States - Colonial    9. Japanese Americans    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Juvenile Historical Fiction    12. United States    13. World War, 1939-1945    14. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / General   

Reviews (79)

Wonderful history book!
This is a "living book" for history at its best!Naturally it cannot contain EVERYTHING one might want in an ancient times history text, it does a WONDERFUL job of bringing history to life for children ages 6-12!I was unsure about this series at first, but once we got into the 1st book, we were hooked!We added some other resources into our study (to fill-in some gaps) and also used the activities book that is available.All-in-all, this is a nice, solid anicient history book for children and while it won't fit all families, it was exactly what we were looking for.:o)

I really, really wanted to love this book!
I really wanted to love this book.I was seeking an engaging survey of ancient history told in an accessible manner for young children.While it partially accomplished that goal, the book had a number of flaws.
Great History Curriculum
This curriculum has wonderful craft and activity ideas to go along with each chapter.The lessons are short and interesting.It is simple enough for very young children to enjoy, but plenty of material is provided for older students to dig deeper and do work on their own. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ancient - General    2. Education    3. Education / Teaching    4. Elementary    5. History    6. Home Schooling    7. Parent Participation    8. Teaching Methods & Materials - Social Science    9. Ancient history    10. Christian education    11. History - Ancient    12. Religious education    13. World history   

Reviews (3)

Can't teach the Constitution without it!
Maestro reviews the reasons for the Constitution, but fails to mention the Articles of Confederation.The text includes the Virginia, New Jersey, and Connecticut Plans.The book can easily be read as an introduction to the Constitution in one class period.Students could complete a drawing or group of drawings on a picture web to narrate the important details from the story.

Excellent!
I came across one book by Betsy Maestro "The Discovery of the Americas" and I loved it.The text is simple and the illustrations are great. It is historically accurate as well, a must in my checklist.I didn't realize she also wrote the historical series "You Wouldn't Want to..." They are my favorite!! I recommend all of her books, especially for teachers.

Great Review of Constitution!
This book is great for Middle School Students or even High School Students who want to review the events leading to the Constitution.I am a Middle School Teacher and plan on using the book to review my lessons with my students.Next year I plan on using it to introduce the topic! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (1787)    2. Children's 4-8 - Politics / Current Events    3. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    4. Children: Grades 3-4    5. Constitutional Convention    6. Constitutional history    7. History - United States/General    8. Juvenile Nonfiction    9. Juvenile literature    10. Law & Crime    11. Politics & Government    12. Social Science - Politics & Government    13. United States    14. United States.    15. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / Colonial & Revolutionary Periods   

Reviews (10)

A beautiful children's book with an illustrated personal story and a larger message
Harvesting Hope tells the tale of Cesar Chavez, but more than that, it reveals the power of collective bargaining and fighting for what is just in the world.As a children's book, it has appeal as a well-illustrated biography, an important history lesson, a story of family and personal triumph, and a book with a message.Chavez's crusade took place several decades ago, but the plight of migrant farm workers remains, despite the tremendous inroads Chavez made with La Causa.The story of Chavez's childhood, hard days of labor, and fight for worker's rights is timeless, and Kathleen Krull's award-nominated book deserves a place on every child's bookshelf.

The story of a lesser known American Hero
This is a great picture book for all ages. The heroic story of Cesar Chavez is left out of most U.S. history classrooms, save those in California. This book would be an enlightening addition to any classroom or children's library.

Si Se Puede
Let's begin by saying that the drawings are super and captivating. Yuyi Morales creates characters that show emotion and the result is a drawing of emotion from the young reader. As the title implies this is the story of Cesar Chavez who many adults came to know about from his work with the farmworkers in California. This story humanizes the man by beginning in his childhood. The roots of the farmworker leader are explored asa young person traveling from crop to crop , from state to state. A drought in Arizona began the family oddyssey that would result in Caser Chavez becoming familiar first hand with the troubles of the farmworkers. Life on the road became a harsh reality. The treatment he encountered in school forced him to drop out in eighth grade but the treatment in the fields wasn't much better, at times it was much worse. This is simple story about a complex problem that one man was determined to overcome. He wanted justice for farmworkers and organized. He became to Mexicans what MLK was for civil rights, for Mexicans it was an extension of civil rights. This is a beautiful book for young readers or those not so young that are learning to read in English if they have a reading foundation in another language. Although it is recommended for children ages 6-9, middle school students, ages 9-12, especially those with limited English proficiency can benefit from this story well told. For the teacher or parent this book can help instill pride and understanding as to how determination, perseverance and hard work can overcome even the greatest odds. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1927-    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography - Cultural Heritage    4. Biography & Autobiography - General    5. Biography & Autobiography - Social Activists    6. Chavez, Cesar,    7. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Nonfiction    8. Children: Grades 1-2    9. History - United States/20th Century    10. Juvenile Nonfiction    11. Juvenile literature    12. Labor leaders    13. Mexican Americans    14. People & Places - United States - Hispanic/Latino    15. Preschool Picture Story Books    16. United States    17. Chavez, Cesar    18. Juvenile Nonfiction / History / United States / 20th Century   

Reviews (6)

Caleb's Story
This book in the 'Sarah, Plain and Tall" series has the same brilliant ability to draw readers in as the original, this time through Caleb's eyes.

Touching Story
Caleb's Story, the third of a series by Patricia MacLachlan, shows how a family can be brought closer together. Caleb, a teen coming of age, meets his grandpa who is sick. Taking place on the prairie this story show a struggle between generations. Read more to understand the struggles between the generations, and possibly solve some of your own. Sarah, Plain and Tall and Skylark Sequel is Heartwarming
Caleb's Story picks up where Skylark and Sarah, Plain and Tall leave off. For the countless readers who fell in love with Sarah as she learned to be a mother to Anna and Caleb, and a helpmeet for Jacob, this book is a wonderful addition. For the reader who lacks "Sarah background," Sarah comes from Maine to a prairie farm after responding to an ad placed by Jacob, who is looking for a woman to replace his recently deceased wife. While he is not necessarily looking for romance, Sarah and Jacob ultimately fall in love, and their next years as a family is chronicled in the sequel, Skylark.Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    2. Children: Grades 3-4    3. Family - General    4. Fathers and sons    5. Fiction    6. Frontier and pioneer life    7. Grandfathers    8. Great Plains    9. Historical - United States - 19th Century    10. Juvenile Fiction    11. Lifestyles - Farm Life & Ranch Life    12. Juvenile Fiction / General    13. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (7)

Not a favorite of mine, but a good story to read
I enjoyed this book.There were a few parts that were confusing and I had to go back and reread the chapter.This book did include historical information.The author detailed the Reconstruction period.This story was very suspenseful.I kept expecting something really bad to happen.There was sadness, but no great devastation along the way.I am not too sure that students in 6th-8th grade would enjoy reading this book.I would recommend this book to high school aged students.
Excellent story
The event in this story happened in the early of the reconstruction period of South America. It was about Pascal, 12-year-old a young black slave, and his family reaching for their own land. Gideon,Pascal's brother who had left a plantation of a white master which he used to live with Pascal, came back to invite his youngerbrotherand his orphaned friend Nelly to escape there with him. They were motivated to have their own land by a promise of "forty acres and maybe a mule" from the Bureau of Refugees. Along the way, hey searched for other friends to create a new family friends. Finally, they pick up an older man calling himself Mr. Freedman, and his granddaughter, Gladness t. Pascal and his new family have imagine any of it could ever come true. After a long, hard journey, they find most exciting of all, a promise to give the land. They got the land forty acres in Georgia, and planed many plants. However, their great dream no longer stayed, when its nearly harvest time, a government said that slaves must gave back their land. Excellent reconstrutionist tale
Through the eyes of Pascal, a young black slave, we perceive the beginnings of the Reconstruction period of the South. Motivated by a promise of"forty acres and maybe a mule" by Circular 13 from the Bureau of Refugees, Pascal's brother Gideon enlightens his family and friends of the Emancipation Proclamation and convinces his younger brother to leave the plantation with him.Along the way, they search for other missing members of their family, make new friends, and find enemies.Joy builds as their farm comes together a piece at a time.Just when its nearly harvest time, a ruling that says slaves must give back their land comes out.Will the City family lose everything they have gained?Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure    2. Action & Adventure - General    3. Afro-Americans    4. Children's 9-12 - Fiction - Historical    5. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Fiction    6. Children: Grades 4-6    7. Fiction    8. Historical - United States - 19th Century    9. Juvenile Fiction    10. People & Places - United States - African-American    11. Reconstruction    12. Social Issues - General    13. Social Situations - General    14. Juvenile Fiction / Ethnic / African American   

Reviews (30)

It might save a child from a life behind bars
It's aimed at junior and senior high school kids to keep them out of gangs. I'm not going to go into my feelings toward this guy or the death penalty or his execution. As far as the merits of this book, I think it might get some kids to think. Williams does a good job of describing prison life. For some kids it might be the smells, others the rules or something simple like never being able to have a soda again. But if he can help one kid stay out of prison he has done something good with his life. Does it make up for the bad? I'll leave that up to God, karma, whatever. It's not for me to decide.
A child's book
I guess I should have read the reviews before purchasing this book.
Glenn's Review
Stanley Tookie Williams is the main character in this book. He is now in prison on San Quentin's Death row because he was found guilty of killing 4 people in 2 robberies. He wrote this book from death row. I believe that if Tookie really was guilty of this heinous crime that he would have confessed to doing this, because he is a real man and as a real man, you do a lot of things differently. Tookie doesn't really change throughout the whole book, but he does talk about redemption.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Juvenile Nonfiction    5. Juvenile literature    6. Law & Crime    7. Prisoners    8. Prisons    9. Social Issues - Violence    10. United States    11. Crime & violence    12. Historical figures    13. Juvenile Nonfiction / Law & Crime    14. Personal awareness: safety matters    15. The law, legal issues   

Reviews (5)

A great resource
First the positive
The Story of the World Activity Book Two: The Middle Ages
I purchased the Activity Two Book because my son enjoyed the Activity One Book.This book is appropriate for Grades 1 through 4 and should be purchased "together" with The Story of the World Volume 2: The Middle Ages book.The activity bookcan be used in families with different-aged children.Each chapter includes a narration exercise, question and answer for oral and written review, cut-outs, coloring, maps, craft projects as well as a thorough list of suggested readings. There is something for everyone here to make learning history an enjoyable experience.

The Story of the World: Activity Book Two: The Middle Ages
I will be using this for our history in our home education. So far, while reviewing and finding what is needed for activities, I am anxious to get started! My boys love hands on activity so I think they will truly find history is awesome! I love the idea of making things and using recipes too. I think this is going to make the learning fun and will be something my boys will always remember! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Activity Books - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Education    4. History    5. History - Medieval    6. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT   

Reviews (6)

Code Talker
What did Navajo Indians do in World War 2?The title of my book is Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac.The main character is Kii Yazhi.He is forced to go to boarding school.From boarding school he heads off to war.
code talker review
my son asked me to pick out a relatively short book from the library for his 8th grade book report.Code talker was it.After he raved about it, and spoke of some specifics, i read it myself before returning to the library.It is a beautifully told tale that intertwines the 'simple' english translation of a navajo language filled with spirituality, respect, honor, and a mythological belief in how things came to be.
Code Talkers
Code Talkers is a fantastic book. The author Joseph Bruchac really knows how to write a good book. When the main charector was growing up he was told he would be nothing. When he got out of boarding school he was on his way to being a big succes.
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Subjects:  1. Boys / Men    2. Children's 12-Up - Fiction - History    3. Children: Kindergarten    4. Cryptography    5. Fiction    6. Historical - Military & Wars    7. Historical - United States - General    8. Juvenile Fiction    9. Navajo code talkers    10. Navajo language    11. People & Places - United States - Native American    12. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Military & Wars