Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

The pictures bring a bright character to this classic story about a girl with a tragic illness. It is shorter and easier to understand for a somewhat younger audience and a good introduction to this story.

I realize a few people feel that this is a propaganda book. In this case I recommend telling your children about Pearl Harbor, the Rape of Nanjing, and Unit 731 and explain that in wars it's usually civilians, in some cases ones who weren't even born at the time, who end up suffering the most. What I hope people will remember about this book is a young girl's bravery and triumph over fear in facing a fatal illness, and the loving support of her classmates.

I read this book in school, during Socail Studies class. We read it to finish up our lesson on Japan, we even made paper cranes. This book was about a girl named Sadako who was 2 when the U.S. dropped the atom bomb on Hiroshma. 9 years later the doctors told her that she had the "atom bomb sickness." Sadako and her friend began to make paper cranes. As an old folk tail went, 1,000 Paper Cranes would make you better. Sadako made 643 paper cranes before she died, at age 12. This book made me cry, right in middle of class. It was really sad, I suggest you should read this book. It's a true story too.

I read this to my third grade class and they loved it. It opened up a lot of great discussion. Our school's theme this year is peace..this book tied nicely into that theme while fitting into our study of the Japanese culture and the art of origami. Elementary teachers should own and share this wonderful story!

This Book is great if you want to add another book to your collection this is a great one to add. It is an inspiring book that will make you open your eyes and go through the pain people with leukemia have.