"Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" by Eleanor Coerr is the story of a small child who contracts the "atom bomb disease" (i.e., leukemia) after the bombing of Hiroshima.
Sadako is a vivacious young girl who loves to run. She is a bundle of energy. She does contract the disease, and eventually she succumbs to it. In an effort to bring about healing and good luck, Sadako endeavors to make 1,000 paper cranes.
This is a sad story made even more sad by the fact that little Sadako puts her faith in ancestor worship and superstitious practices rather than in Jesus Christ. The author communicates well the fact that innocent people are hurt in war, and that life bring us many things that are outside of our control.
My children were moved by the story, but they didn't like it. But such is life. Stories don't always end happily.
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