Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

Information for students
Author: Eleanor Coerr
Title: Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Book Genre: Multicultural
Publishing Info: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Summary: Sadako was two years old when the atom bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima, Japan where she lived with her family. Ten years later she was diagnosed with leukemia as a result from exposure to radiation from the atom bomb. When she was in the hospital she heard about the legend of the 1000 paper cranes. The legend said that if you folded 1000 paper cranes the gods would make her well. Sadako was unable to fold all of the cranes before she died so her classmates finished for her. Her friends wrote letters and collected money for a statue of Sadako. Today it stands as a memorial in Hiroshima Peace Park for all of the children that have been killed by bombs.




Personal rating: *****

Pages: 63

Rationale: Beautiful illustrations, portrayal of culture authentic, Characters are multidimensional.

Information for teachers
Reading level: 4.1 Interest level: 4-6

Thematic Areas: Asian, crafts, disease and illness, Japanese, World War II

Content Areas: History, Health, Art

Potential Problems or Difficulties: reference to other gods may be offensive to some people

Possible use in classroom:
· Student’s journal about how they feel after reading the book
· Student’s make paper cranes
· Use with a unit on World War II
· Use as an introduction to Japanese culture