Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

What is the secret that Sadako tried to keep to herself?

• She'd rather be a dancer than a runner.

• She often gets dizzy spells.

• She hates running.

• She really misses her grandmother.

Why did Mrs. Sasaki give Sadako a komono if she was going to die?

On page 55 why was Sadako Chan glad to be back in the hospital room?

• She felt she was making everyone sad.

• She was some peace and quiet.

• She liked the food in the hospital.

• She wanted to fold paper cranes.

Why 1000 paper cranes? Why not 100, or 120,000? Or just 1?

• 1000 is easier to make than 100

• There is no time to make 120,000

• 1000 paper cranes

• People thought the crane (a bird) lived for a 1000 years.

Draw a new ending

Which of the following BEST describes Sadako’s character at the beginning of the story?

• Sadako is optimistic about life.

• Sadako is already sick with leukemia.

• Sadako enjoys origami, or the art of folding paper.

• Sadako has trouble keeping friends because she moves so quickly.

How did the author use paper cranes to develop a theme in the story?

• So many people offered to help Sadako make the paper cranes in the hospital.

• After Sadako won her first race, she looked up and saw a crane, which gave her hope that she would make the relay team.

• Cranes kept appearing in pictures throughout the story.

• The paper cranes kept Sadako and her family hopeful that she would survive her illness.

Which of the following happened during the story’s resolution?

• We learn what happened to Sadako and about the statue in Peace Park that honors her

• Sadako collapses at school and is taken to the hospital.

• Sadako makes paper cranes to try and get better.

• Sadako’s mother is always teasing her about how much she runs.

Why did Sadako make paper cranes?

• She wants to outdo her brother and make more than him.

• It’s a hobby to keep her busy in the hospital.

• She wants to be healed of leukemia.

• She is trying to make her friend chizuku feel better.

In your own words, what do think the paper cranes meant to Sadako? How did they contribute to the story’s theme, or message? Make sure to use details from the story or your journal in your 3-5 sentence response.