Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr

Eleanor Coerr.  Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. Puffin (April 12, 2004), 80 pages.

            This story tells the story of Sadako, a young girl living Japan, during the time of the atom bomb and all of the events that followed.  Focusing on Sadako, we learned that Sadako was only two years old when the atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and many people became sick due to the radiation.  Including Sadako.  Growing up, Sadako has many hobbies just like any regular girl.  One of her favorite things to do is race.  Sadako is constantly racing at school, until suddenly she begins to feel slightly sick.  Trying to ignore her feelings, she continues to run until she faints during one of her races.  This forces the book to take a slightly different path as we see Sadako’s condition continue to worsen.  The story of Sadako takes on a sadder tone and we see Sadako and her family struggle through the cancer that she has developed.  While Sadako is sick, she passes her time by making origami paper cranes.  Her goal is 1000, hence the title, however this goal is never realized by her alone.  After her death, her school community comes together and finishes the remaining cranes.

            This story deals with the effects of the atomic bomb on Japan and is told through the perspective of Sadako, a young Japanese girl.  Though a relatively short book, this book is packed with emotions and foreshadowing.  Using this book as a way to talk about the impact of America’s decision to drop the atomic bomb from another perspective is really good, especially with younger kids.  This book is probably good for grade 6, and possibly 7.  The book focuses on the frailty of life, the dreams that people have, and how the decisions of other people can prevent these dreams from coming true.