Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, by Eleanor Coerr

(Paperback, 80 pages, first published in 1977)

“An extraordinary book, one no reader will fail to find compelling and unforgettable.” —Booklist, starred review

The star of her school’s running team, Sadako is lively and athletic…until the dizzy spells start. Then she must face the hardest race of her life—the race against time. Based on a true story, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes celebrates the courage that makes one young woman a heroine in Japan.

"[The] story speaks directly to young readers of the tragedy of Sadako's death and, in its simplicity, makes a universal statement for 'peace in the world.” —The Horn Book

"The story is told tenderly but with neither a morbid nor a sentimental tone: it is direct and touching." —BCCB

Storyglory Cautions: This book centers on the illness and death of a young girl from leukemia caused by radiation after Hiroshima, which may be emotionally intense for sensitive readers. Includes references to Japanese cultural and religious practices (Buddhist ceremonies, ancestor prayers, and the legend of 1,000 paper cranes as a means of healing). See PluggedIn's review here.

Recommended Age: 10+