Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

Written by Eleanor Coerr · Illustrated by Ronald Himler

A young girl races against time, folding paper cranes to fulfill a wish for healing.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 30,163 ratings

64 pages· 5,988 words· Est. 50 min read

$3.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

In post-war Hiroshima, young Sadako battles leukemia, a shadow of the atomic bomb's devastation. Inspired by a legend, she folds paper cranes, hoping to reach a thousand for a miracle. As her strength wanes, her classmates rally to complete her task, turning her story into a symbol of hope and peace. Will Sadako's wish be granted, or will her legacy inspire a different kind of healing?

From the publisher

Chizuko came to visit her friend Sadako in the hospital. She had a piece of gold paper that she had cut into a large square.”Watch!” she said, and she folded the paper over and over, and it tumed into a beautiful crane.”If a sick person folds one thousand paper cranes, “ Chizuko said, “the gods will grant her wish and make her well again.”Sadako Sasaki was only twelve years old when she died. She was two when an atom bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima in Japan, where she lived with her family. Ten years later, she had leukemia as a result of radiation from the bomb.Sadako had folded six hundred and forty-four cranes. The flock hung above her bed on strings. Her classmates folded the rest.Today Sadako is a heroine to the children of Japan, who visit her memorial in Hiroshima Peace Park to leave the paper cranes they make in her honor.

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