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“Moving, true story, and aftermath WWII.”
Reading age
8-12
Genre
Nonfiction
Publisher
Puffin Books
Publication date
April 12, 2004
My summary of the book
Sadako was born to be a runner and believes in good luck signs. Sadako is eager to join the school’s running club. After a big race she won she got dizzy she thought it was nothing, but this will change her whole life. During practice, she got dizzy again, and she collapsed. The doctors confirm that she has Atom Bomb disease (leukemia) from the radiation from the bombing of Hiroshima. Soon, a friend brings her a paper crane (origami) and tells Sadako that if she can fold 1000 paper cranes, God will grant her wish to get well. Will Sadako succeed?
Paige and Laly’s thoughts
Paige’s thoughts: From an unknown source, I heard about Sadako, a girl making many paper cranes. The book was very emotional, and I cried, too. I once made a paper crane, and it was challenging. The story taught me about Japanese mythology and some Japanese good luck signs, such as spiders, signify good luck. This book helped me understand the aftermath of the bombing, and I had no idea that this illness existed.
Laly’s thoughts: I first learned about Sadako in my Everything Origami book: “The traditional Japanese paper crane or orizuru is famous worldwide. It’s a symbol of origami and symbol of peace. An ancient Japanese legend says that whoever folds 1000 cranes will be granted a wish.” “Today, in Hiroshima, stands the peace memorial of Sadako built by her classmates in her memory to inspire peace around the world. Sadako was a victim of the atom-bomb disease, and she folded cranes until she died. She never gave up on her wish to be well.”
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes made me sad and a little depressed. It was a sweet, moving story about the Japanese after the war. It showed me the Japanese side of the war, and I learned a lot.
Our rating
About the author
“Eleanor Coerr (1922-2010) is the author of many books for young readers, including Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes and Mieko and the Fifth Treasure.” – Book Depository.
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