Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Eleanor Coerr (Juvenile Biography)
Sometimes it’s the shortest books that stay with you the longest.
Twelve-year old Sadako Sasaki was just a baby when the atom bomb—the Thunderbolt—was dropped on Hiroshima. Sadako was always in a hurry to be first and more than anything, she wanted to be on the junior high relay team. But then the dizzy spells began, and she would soon discover that she had the atom bomb disease…leukemia. Sadako’s friend told her an old story that if a sick person folds one thousand paper cranes, the gods would grant her wish and make her well. By folding one crane at a time, Sadako begins her dire quest for health.
Using a book published by Sadako’s classmates, Coerr lovingly shares the story of a young girl who faced death fearlessly. Sadako Sasaki showed more raw courage, determination, and hope in her 12 short years than many of us ever hope to achieve in a lifetime. Her story deserves to be learned, and her hope for peace should not be restricted between the covers of this book.
Rating: 5/5
The Dusty Jacket 