Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr is a moving work of historical fiction based on the true story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl living in Hiroshima, Japan, after the atomic bombing. This short, powerful novel is perfect for upper-elementary readers and works beautifully in lessons on history, culture, symbolism, theme, and empathy.
Reading Level
Lexile 690L
Interest Level
Grades 3-5
Length
84 pages
Award
Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee
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⭐ About the Book
The story begins in 1954, eleven years after the bombing, when Sadako is an energetic, hopeful sixth grader who loves to run and dreams of making the junior high racing team.
During Peace Day celebrations, Sadako begins experiencing dizziness. Later that autumn, she collapses and learns she has leukemia, the “atom bomb disease.” While in the hospital, her best friend brings paper and teaches her how to fold origami cranes. According to Japanese legend, folding one thousand cranes grants a wish. Sadako begins folding cranes with the hope of healing and returning home.
As Sadako fights her illness, she meets other children with leukemia, experiences moments of hope, and faces heartbreaking setbacks. Her courage, determination, and gentle spirit have inspired millions around the world.
⭐ Book Details
| Publication Date | 1977 |
| Reading Level | Lexile 690L • Guided Reading Level R |
| Interest Level | Grades 3–5 |
| Awards | Young Hoosier Book Award Nominee (1980–1981) • Shalom Readers Club Book List |
| Length | 84 pages (approx. 24,400 words) |
| Estimated Reading Time | About 1 hour and 37 minutes |
| Audiobook Length | 45 minutes |
| Genre | Historical Fiction (World War II) • Realistic Fiction |
| Setting | Hiroshima, Japan (1954–1955) |
| Themes | War, Illness, Goals, Traditions, Hope, Perseverance |
| Point of View | Third person |
| Memorable Quote | “And he prayed that his family would be protected from the atom bomb disease called leukemia.” |
| First Line | “Sadako was born to be a runner.” |
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Activities
Book Unit Samples
Check out this unit with these samples:
- Vocabulary Practice for the Prologue and Chapter 1
- Comprehension Questions for Chapters 1-3
- Constructed Response Question – Character Traits of the Sasaki Family
Teaching Idea #1 ~ Character Trait Pyramids
This free resource contains three pyramid organizers plus answer keys: one each for Sadako, Chizuko, and a blank organizer that can be used for any character. Students write physical characters on one triangle, and inner traits on one triangle, and color/draw the character on the third triangle.
Students use the information from the triangles to complete the Venn diagram.
This handout contains the activity described here as well as the animated short activity described below.
Teaching Idea #2 ~ Anchor Chart
This interactive anchor chart is super easy to make. Either draw or print out pictures that can be glued onto the chart paper to represent each member of Sadako’s family. Students compare the family members by listing relationships to Sadako and/or the personality traits of the characters.
The best thing about this type of anchor chart is that it can be reused each year by having students write details on sticky notes instead of writing on the anchor chart itself.
Teaching Idea #3 ~ Comparing the Book to the Animated Short A Folded Wish
In this animated short, twin sisters named Chiharu and Hanako suffer from tuberculosis. Obachan takes care of the girls while they attempt to fold a thousand origami cranes in hopes of recovering from their fatal disease.
A Venn diagram to compare the animated short to the novel along with an answer key is provided in the handout.
If you missed the link above, here it is again.
Animated Short – A Folded Wish
Similarities
Book – Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Sadako’s best friend named Chizuko brings paper to the hospital. She shows Sadako how to make paper cranes.
Sadako meets another patient Kenji who also has leukemia. Kenji dies.
Sadako dies before completing the 1000 cranes. Her two friends complete the task and place the finished cranes in her casket.
See the product that inspired this post.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes Novel Study includes vocabulary practice, comprehension questions, constructed response writing, and skill practice.
1 comment
Sounds good. Can’t wait! Rosemary