Customer Reviews

One Thousand Paper Cranes: The Story of Sadako and the Children's Peace Statue

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Often fiction leads us into a story and leaves us helpless to change anything. Takayuki Ishii's book takes us into the real world of Sadako Sasaki who died of leukemia years after the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. This is a well researched document, with family and classmate interviews, which sheds light on the real child whose world changed as a result of adult decisions. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is home to a statue commemorating Sadako's life. It was built by the donations solicited by her classmates. Each day children from all over the world send folded paper cranes to this statue in her memory and in the hope for world peace. It is rare for a teacher to have the opportunity to compare and contrast a fictionalized event with the non fictional and rarer, still, to then have the opportunity to construct a real life project, from classroom reading, for students which will make the voices of the children heard. I am a teacher and the children in my school, the Henry Viscardi School, forwarded their cranes to the statue. This moving experience is recorded on our school Web site (under Japanese Odyssey)and was inspired by Reverand Ishii's book. The book had been published first in Japan. Random House has now made it available in the United States and as word of its publication reaches schools and libraries, it is destined to become a "must have" for every American classroom.

...this is the kind of book that continues to haunt you long after you put it down. I read this book in elementary school and then stumbled across it as an adult - even re-reading it as an adult, I was shocked by the descriptions of the damage done by the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

This book is a must-read. As an American, I believe that the atom bomb was a necessary evil to stop World War II; however, as a human, I believe the atom bomb was a horrible atrocity unleashed on millions of people, including a child named Sadako whose story is poignantly told here. This book is an eye-opener, a heart-wrencher and a beautiful story.

No matter what side you are on in the debate on the use of the atomic bombs during WWII, this is a "must read". As a science teacher, I read this book to my Advanced Chemistry class at the conclusion of our nuclear chemistry unit. However, I have yet been able to read it through without crying. And I have not been alone. Sadako's story should teach us all a lesson. My students may not remember the specifics of chain reactions or nuclear decay. But I guaruntee that they will remember Sadako's story. I want them to be informed citizens who make educated choices. One thing that history has shown us is that it repeats itself. What a horrible thought.......that another little girl become a "Sadako". I would hate to think that next time her name might be an American one......It chills me to the bone.

Having visited the Children's Peace Statue in Hiroshima in 1994, I appreciated the background information that Takayuki Ishii effectively weaves into this book. I was moved by his account of Sadako's courage throughout her illness and of her classmates' determination to erect a statue in her honor. Now I more fully understand the significance of this memorial which has become a worldwide symbol of peace.

Are you the type or reader who enjoys reading about real people who fight through tough situations? Well, then this book is for you to read. This wonderful book was about a girl named Sadako who got radiation from the atomic bomb in World War II when she was only two years old. Sadako really loved school and was on a Bamboo Relay Team at her school. She had a race and when she was running, she started to get dizzy. She went to the hospital and turns out, she got the Atomic Bomb Disease. Sadako was really scared to die at a young age of 12 years old. Her friend came to visit her in the hospital, and she told Sadako that if you fold 1000 paper cranes, you get a wish from the gods. That made Sadako determined to fold 1000 paper cranes.

When I was reading this book, I couldn't stop reading it. I really got to know the main character, Sadako, and I liked her a lot. She had a ton of hope, determination, and courage to fold one thousand paper cranes so she can get better. She's an example to all the children who has diseases or illnesses. This book was such a powerful and inspirational book to me.

I learned from this book that you can truly accomplish your goals and dreams when you are going through something really difficult. Sadako showed readers this. It made me realize that I really can do anything I put my mind on. So readers, if you are tempted to read this very inspirational book, go ahead. Read it!

The theme of the book is that war kills innocent people and dropping an atomic bomb is unconscionable act that must never be repeated. The author actually went to Japan and stayed with Sadako's family in order research this book. It is well written. This book supplements the Eleanor Coerr version of the story. It gives additional information about what Sadako's leukemia was like for her and her family.

This book serves as an excellent trade book for Social Studies classrooms. It is well researched and serves as an important view of the effects of the atomic bomb reagrdless of the reader's personal beliefs of the bomb. Easily read in a week of 45 minute classes.

On page 74 Rev. Ishii infers that Sadako was the 14th death that year (1955) in her jr. high school. This is not correct. It may mean 14th in Hiroshima that year but that does not sound correct either. Sadako's brother confirmed she was not the 14th death in her school that year.