Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, by Eleanor Coerr

Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr, ISBN # 0-439-16824-4

This book is a fictionalized account of a true story. The year is 1955 and Sadako, the main character of this book, and a track star at her school, takes ill. After tests at the hospital, it is discovered that she has “atom bomb disease”, leukemia.

The bulk of this book deals with how Sadako and her friends and family deal with her disease. Her friend tells her if she folds one thousand paper cranes, she will get well. She died before making it to one thousand paper cranes. This is a touching story, but what makes it even more touching is the love and kindness that is shown not only by Sadako’s family, but also all the other secondary characters.

This quiet book doesn’t demonize the United States for dropping the bomb, but adroitly shows the human toll the bomb extracted. The sadness in this book is overwhelming at times, but the sadness is countered by the love and optimism shown by Sadako’s family, especially her brother.

This book is written on a fourth grade reading level, but the story and message is appropriate for anyone who can read and comprehend it.