Biography

A tender story about seeking peace and humanity after a troubled time. ( )

I like this heartfelt story about life and death and I believe it is a good story for older elementary readers. Sadako is about a young girl that lives in Japan after World War II. She is plagued with leukemia as a result from the bombing of Hiroshima, and recounts the loss she has occurred from the devastation. In order to take her focus away from her sickness, her mother urges her to fold paper cranes while she is in the hospital after hearing the story of a man who made 1000 paper cranes and his wish was granted. This story is very touching and good for older elementary because it discusses the unfortunate truth of childhood illnesses and mortality. This story was easy to read but the content is more mature than a normal children's book. ( )

Summary
This books is based on a true story of a girl named Sadako who died due to leukemia caused by radiation from the atomic bombs dropped on Japan. It tells her story about a thousand paper cranes she tried to make in order to have her wish granted of being better. She died before she could make a thousand, but her friends and family complete the thousand for her. A statue is created of Sadako where paper cranes are made and placed for children who died as a result of the bombings.
Personal Reaction
This was a very emotional story for me, because my grandmother also died of leukemia. I loved the idea of making a thousand paper cranes, to give a little girl hope. It was also a way to distract patients from their own disease and focus on something else.
Extension Ideas:
1) I could have students fill out an worksheet regarding information from World War II.
2) I could have students learn how to make paper cranes and create our own little statue.

Yet another sad story, but one that must be told. The affect that war can have on people long past the end of that war. This is a picture book of the story of Sadako who contracted leukemia because of the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. It is about her struggle to live and her belief in the old Japanese legend that by making a thousand paper cranes the gods will grant your wish to get well. What is powerful about this story is how it is ultimately about the wish for peace. Review by Fiona