Sadako and the Thousand Paper CranesEleanor Coerr

Author Notes

Eleanor Coerr Biography

Chapter 1: Good Luck

Signs

Character Development

Setting

Conflict

Symbols

Figurative Language

How many good luck signs did Sadako see he morning of the Peace Day Festival? What can you infer from this? Explain using evidence from the text.

Vocabulary scolded leukemia radiation

Chapter 2: Peace Day

Character Development

Setting

Conflict

Symbols

Figurative Language

Describe Sadako’s personality using evidence from the text.

What can you infer will happen based on the comment about the spider being good luck? Explain.

Geography Connection

Hiroshima, Japan Ohta River

Chapter 3: Sadako’s

Secret

Character Development

Setting

Conflict

Symbols

Figurative Language

What is Sadako’s secret, and why doesn’t she share it with anyone? What can you infer from this and other context clues in the story?

Vocabulary scarcely shrines throngs

Chapter 4: A Secret No Longer

Character Development

Setting

Conflict

Symbols

Figurative Language

What are Sadako’s concerns about being in the hospital for a few weeks? How would you feel if you were Sadako?

Vocabulary pang murmur

Chapter 5: The Golden

Crane

Character Development

Setting

Conflict

Symbols

Figurative Language

Why do you think making a thousand paper cranes is lucky? Is the the crane itself or something else? Explain your thinking.

Does Sadako believe making the cranes will improve her health? Use evidence from the text to support your thinking.

Vocabulary briskly omen

Chapter 6: Kenji

Character Development

Setting

Conflict

Symbols

Figurative Language

Contrast Kenji’s attitude about having leukemia with Sadako’s. Are there any similarities?

How does Sadako feel when Kenji dies? How would you feel? Use evidence from the text to support your thinking.

Vocabulary weary sternly flustered

Chapter 7: Hundreds of

Wishes

Character Development

Setting

Conflict

Symbols

Figurative Language

How does the weather affect your mood as a reader? Do you feel differently if it is sunny or rainy? Does the weather mirror Sadako’s feelings? Explain using evidence from the text.

Vocabulary musty clammy listless wistful

Chapter 8: Last Days

Character Development

Setting

Conflict

Symbols

Figurative Language

Describe the things Sadako does to console her family? What does her family do to try to cheer up Sadako?

Why is this chapter titled “Last Days”? Find evidence from the text to support your thinking.

Vocabulary gruffly

Chapter 9: Racing with

the Wind

Character Development

Setting

Conflict

Symbols

Figurative Language

Why is this chapter titled “Racing with the Wind”?

What do the paper cranes symbolize in this story? Use evidence from the text to support your thinking.

Vocabulary rustle

Novel Projects

Research: Write a research report on the bombing of Hiroshima during WWII.

Research: See if you can find the Kokeshi letters and read them. Write a summary of the information you learn for your classmates.

Research: Research Peace Day. Explain what it’s purpose is and how people celebrate.

Argument: Write an argument either for or against the bombing of Hiroshima during WWII. Be sure to include strong evidence to support your opinion.

Poetry: Haiku is a specialized type of poetry. Write a haiku about Sadako or cranes. Capture the sentiment of the story in your poem.