Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, by Eleanor Coerr

Plot Summary:

This chapter book is based on a true story re-imagined by the author, Eleanor Coerr, and tells the tale of a young Japanese girl who ends up dying from leukemia. Her death is a result of the fallout from the atomic bombs dropped by the United States on Hiroshima to end World War II in the Pacific. This is both a somber and sad story but also one of hope and meaning. Little Sadako may be one child but her legacy lives on in the memories and actions for peace around the world.  Warning: the story can be disturbing for some children. Facilitators should know their group and proceed with caution.

Lesson Plans

I offer several lesson plan themes here that the facilitator may wish to choose to tailor their focus, based on their group’s interests and comfort with the topic.

Talents

Sadako is claimed to be “born to be a runner.”

• Are we born with certain talents? Can we acquire new ones and if yes, how?
• Why are races competitive?  What are the advantages, and maybe disadvantages, in competition?

Good Luck

• Are there ways we can see events as omens of good luck?  What are some familiar examples of good luck signs? [e.g.: four leaf clover, shooting star]
• What about omens for bad luck?  [seeing a black cat, walking under a ladder, breaking a mirror]
• What is the difference between luck and chance?
• Is there really anything about the idea of good or bad luck?

Secrets

Sadako tries to keep her dizziness and feelings of fatigue a secret. 

• Are secrets good, bad, neither?
• What are the characteristics of a secret you would label as “bad” or as “good?”

Death and Dying

Sadako tries very hard to get well and to be positive but over the course of the story, we see her fading. This is very sad and yet, we might see her as brave and caring about her family more than herself. Depending upon the group, it might be worthwhile to visit the end of Plato’s dialogue, The Apology, to see how Socrates argues against a fear of death.

• Is death something to be scared of?  Why or why not?
• How does Sadako show the virtues of kindness, courage, compassion for others in this story?
• How would you define each of these virtues?
• When might we need to live out these virtues in our own lives?
• What characteristics would you attribute to Sadako as she battles her illness?

Often our memories and actions help us cope with the death of a loved one; it could be a grandparent, family friend, and even a beloved pet.

• What do Sadako’s friends do to honor her memory?
• Depending upon your group, ask if anyone would like to share their own story about losing someone and what they do to honor and remember that person.

Activity

The book includes directions on how to make origami cranes.  Perhaps the group would like to make these and share them with others.

NOTE:

Be sensitive to whether the participants wish to speak about death and perhaps wait to see if they bring this up themselves.

Peace and War

This might be seen as the ultimate message in this short narrative and it offers a wealth of complex ideas to unpack.

• Is War every justified?  When or why not?
• Are there fair and unfair ways to fight in a way?
• Was the American bombing of the two Japanese cities the right thing to do?

If you wish to pursue the final question, check out John Rawls’ “Fifty Years after Hiroshima” on the Resources tab.