Sadako/Hiroshima

Sadako's Message to the 21st Century

SADAKO AND THE THOUSAND PAPER CRANES
Eleanor Coerr

Hospitalized with the dreaded atom bomb disease, leukemia, Sadako races against time to fold one thousand paper cranes to verify the legend that by doing so a sick person will become healthy.

HIROSHIMA
Laurence Yep

Through a narration that moves back and forth between the experiences of a 12-year-old girl and the men on the Enola Gay, events of the day the first atomic bomb was dropped and its aftermath are told.

Sadako (middle, front row) with her running team.

1. After completing Sadako and Hiroshima, read this eye witness account of what it was like for this student from Hiroshima to experience the bomb from outside the city.

2. Choose at least one more eye witness account to read from this list of survivors.

3. What were people saying who opposed using the atom bomb?

Independent Investigation

Complete the questions and activities as you read about this Japanese/American citizen who was caught between two cultures.

Suggested Investigations for Group Presentation

Although only two years old at the time of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the real Sadako was greatly effected by the decision to drop the atom bomb. Choose from the topics below to develop an investigation that will help your group's presentation:

What is an atomic bomb and why was it developed?

About the A-Bomb

Hiroshima: Who's Who and What'd They Do?

Chronological Table of Nuclear Weapon

What is the nuclear war?

What were some of the military and political justifications for using the bomb?

Atomic Bomb: Decision

What were some of the alternatives available at the time?

Hiroshima: Was It Necessary?

Did all Americans agree with the bombing?

What were some of the effects of the bombing?

Enola Gay and the bombing of Hiroshima in World War II