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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I heard about this short children's book from reading The Old Willis Place, as the kids in that book mention some of their favorite literature. This sad and touching story is based on the true story of Sadako Sasaki who lived in Hiroshima, Japan in 1955. Healthy and athletic, she developed leukemia at 12 years old, known then as the "atom bomb disease." She was told about a Japanese legend where, if she folded 1,000 origami cranes, the gods would grant her a wish and she could be healthy again. With hope in her heart, she began to fold them day after day.
This book has been translated into many languages, used for peace education with children all over the world, and has inspired films, plays, monuments, and Peace Day reflections each August 6th. I do think it's important to acknowledge that the author was a white Canadian-American woman who learned about Sadako while visiting Japan and, eventually, obtaining a copy of Sadako's classmates' writings about her. From what I've found online, Coerr was inspired to share Sadako's story with American children, but it wasn't really Coerr's story to tell. Sadako's family has pointed out several discrepancies in Coerr's account and Sadako's older brother has since published The Complete Story of Sadako Sasaki, which I look forward to reading.
This book has been translated into many languages, used for peace education with children all over the world, and has inspired films, plays, monuments, and Peace Day reflections each August 6th. I do think it's important to acknowledge that the author was a white Canadian-American woman who learned about Sadako while visiting Japan and, eventually, obtaining a copy of Sadako's classmates' writings about her. From what I've found online, Coerr was inspired to share Sadako's story with American children, but it wasn't really Coerr's story to tell. Sadako's family has pointed out several discrepancies in Coerr's account and Sadako's older brother has since published The Complete Story of Sadako Sasaki, which I look forward to reading.
It was fine. The story it told was important but it wasn't well-written.
Found this at a tiny library in Newport Beach. Read it on my flight home. So sweet and sad!! A great young read to help teach about this bit of history and the impact war and violence can have on innocent people.
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After reading for the second time in over 15 years the book still makes me sad.
Such a beautiful tale. My oldest son read this years ago and requested he be a part of reading it again when the youngest went through it.
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
A great children's book which helps children understand a great deal about Japanese culture as well as the long-term effects of the atom bombing of Hiroshima.