Hiroshima-born Sadako is lively and athletic--the star of her school's running team. And then the dizzy spells start. Soon gravely ill with leukemia, the "atom bomb disease," Sadako faces her future with spirit and bravery. Recalling a Japanese legend, Sadako sets to work folding paper cranes. For the legend holds that if a sick person folds one thousand cranes, the gods will grant her wish and make her healthy again. Based on a true story, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes celebrates the extraordinary courage that made one young woman a heroine in Japan.
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 2-6-The touching story of a terminally ill girl is recreated in this audio version of the book by Eleanor Coerr (Puffin, 1977). Based on the true story of a young Japanese girl who contracts leukemia as a result of the atom bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima, the story follows Sadako as a healthy schoolgirl winning relay races, through her diagnosis with the atom bomb sickness, to her long stay in the hospital. It is in the hospital that she first begins making origami cranes to pass the time. Her ultimate goal is to make 1000, but she dies with only 644 completed. Sadako's classmates finish making the remaining cranes, and all 1000 are buried with her. Read by Christina Moore, the recording has excellent narration and sound quality and is particularly notable for the children's voices. Moore uses subtle nuances to distinguish between characters, and conveys a sense of Sadako's gentle spirit and courage. The recording is further enriched at the end by an interesting biography of Eleanor Coerr that explains how the author came to write Sadako's story. Schools and public libraries will benefit from adding this recording to their collections.
Paula L. Setser, Deep Springs Elementary School, Lexington, KY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.
Paula L. Setser, Deep Springs Elementary School, Lexington, KY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.
Review
An extraordinary book, one no reader will fail to find compelling and unforgettable. -- Booklist, starred review
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr is the true story of a young girl who was born in Japan two years before the end of WWII.
Sadako lives an idyllic life with her parents and two brothers not far from where the atom bomb was dropped in 1945. Although she sees evidence of this horrific act on the faces of other people and knows that many have died from the diseases caused by the radioactive materials, her life hasn't been touched by this. But then Sadako becomes very ill as the result of the radiation. Shortly after she is diagnosed her friend tells her the story of how a thousand paper cranes can bring good luck. And so Sadako begins making origami paper cranes and wishes for good health.
This book is based on the true story of the girl Sadako who was born in Japan in 1943 and died from leukemia in 1955. Today she is a national hero to children in Japan. While this is a sad book adn may not b eright for all younger children, it does teach a wonderful lesson about the effects of war on innocent people and courage in the face of a terminal illness.
As a footnote, last spring we attended the wedding of a friends son. As a party favor at the end of the wedding, the bride made paper cranes for the guests to wish us luck as we had wished them the same. She also told the legend of a thousand paper cranes and couldn't help but think about this when I saw this book on the library shelves and as I read this book. I don't think I will ever look at a paper crane the same way now after reading this book.
Sadako lives an idyllic life with her parents and two brothers not far from where the atom bomb was dropped in 1945. Although she sees evidence of this horrific act on the faces of other people and knows that many have died from the diseases caused by the radioactive materials, her life hasn't been touched by this. But then Sadako becomes very ill as the result of the radiation. Shortly after she is diagnosed her friend tells her the story of how a thousand paper cranes can bring good luck. And so Sadako begins making origami paper cranes and wishes for good health.
This book is based on the true story of the girl Sadako who was born in Japan in 1943 and died from leukemia in 1955. Today she is a national hero to children in Japan. While this is a sad book adn may not b eright for all younger children, it does teach a wonderful lesson about the effects of war on innocent people and courage in the face of a terminal illness.
As a footnote, last spring we attended the wedding of a friends son. As a party favor at the end of the wedding, the bride made paper cranes for the guests to wish us luck as we had wished them the same. She also told the legend of a thousand paper cranes and couldn't help but think about this when I saw this book on the library shelves and as I read this book. I don't think I will ever look at a paper crane the same way now after reading this book.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By K. Roth
Format:Paperback
A teacher used this book in her 7th grade remedial reading classroom because they were studying Japan. She started off by reading the beginning of a book called Hiroshima which talked about the airplane taking off that had the atomic bomb on it which was destined to be dropped on Hiroshima. She then had the students read Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes. It was a wonderful lesson. I think that the children really learned how the effects of the A bomb lasted for so long. Sadako gets leukemia from the radiation left from the A bomb. It describes rememberance day from and how the Japenese people were affected by this event in history.
I think it was a wonderful lesson for students to experience what occurred to the people of Japan from their viewpoint. I bought this book for my nephew to read because I think it is so important for kids to understand effects of war from "the other side's" viewpoint. I think that it will help build tolerance and understanding about tough issues such as the effects from the A bomb and what it did to the Japanese people.
I think it was a wonderful lesson for students to experience what occurred to the people of Japan from their viewpoint. I bought this book for my nephew to read because I think it is so important for kids to understand effects of war from "the other side's" viewpoint. I think that it will help build tolerance and understanding about tough issues such as the effects from the A bomb and what it did to the Japanese people.
I think this is a great book for parents to read to their upper elementary kids. It will open up a line of discussion that might otherwise be overlooked.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Plume45
Format:Paperback
Inspired by a real incident after the bombing of Hiroshima, this short tale flows easily along and can be read in one sitting. Much more than a grim reminder of the horrors of atomic war (with a decade of contamination which causes death, crippling and disfigurement to its victims), this story offers hope insted of condemnation.
Ten-year-old Sadako is very active, dreaming of representing her school on the track team. Until she starts experiencing dizziness and other odd symptoms, which she hides from her family as long as she can. Ultimately she is hospitalized with the "atom bmomb disease," which causes her great physical and emotional pain, as her tender life is soon to be senselessly cut short. Must she die so young and unfulfilled, a decade after the day that stopped history? Is there no end to the list of civilian Japanese casualties?
Then her faithful girlfriend suggests a method--based on superstition--to distract her and pass the time in bed: folding 1000 paper cranes (the Japanese art called Origami). Her brother even offers to hang them. Can such a repetitive act really conquer the curse upon this innocent girl, as folklore insists? Will she live long enough to complete her self-appointed task? This short and touching read inspired both school children of Japan and later many adults to honor her commitment to life and beauty, to trust and hope. Written in a style for younger readers, the message of SADAKO will reach out to senstitive humans of all ages.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Somewhat sad but very inspirational
This was sad but very inspirational book. It is a book about survival, love and friendships. Very nice book to read.
Published 3 days ago by MJ
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
I purchased this for my 10 year old niece and she loved it and read it in an afternoon after school. Read more
Published 3 days ago by mary8808
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gift
My daughter had to read this for an English assignment. I did not get a chance to read this book she did not bring this book home. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Yvonne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nostalgic
I read this about 8 years ago and I just remembered about it now. Her story is tragic yet meaningful.
Published 12 days ago by Maria Chona Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
I cried at the very end of the book because she closes her eyes and she never wakes up, that is so sad!!!
Published 14 days ago by Missy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful book!!!
This is an excellent story. I read it with my 3rd graders and it brought rich discussions about illness and WWII. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Cindy
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
I found, "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes", to be thought provoking and sad. A great read but be prepared to cry.
Published 1 month ago by melly G
5.0 out of 5 stars
Donation
I purchased a set of six books for a donation to a children's ministry. I have read this book and it is still one of my favorites.
Published 1 month ago by K. Harwell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Loved it
This is the best book ever we in art class made these cranes they are pretty. I also just made one now.
Published 2 months ago by Fire
5.0 out of 5 stars
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
This was the best book ever I finished it in fifteen minutes and it was touching. I can't believe this is a true story but it was definitely worth it. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Christopher C Jones
