Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

1. Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes Eleanor Coerr

2. Author Notes Eleanor Coerr Biography

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.