A republication of some of my older reviews in an abbreviated form.
"Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes"
by Eleanor Coerr.
G.P. Putnam’s and Sons, New York, 1977, 64 pages, Grades 3-4.
Original review Jan. 26, 2007
Twelve-year-old Sadako Sasaki was the fastest runner in her sixth grade class in Hiroshima, Japan. Spirited and fun loving, she races against all of her classmates.
With her black hair flying and her spirit soaring she prepares for the Peace Day festival in downtown Hiroshima Aug. 6, 1955. Her mother scolds Sadako, saying August 6th is a day of remembrance, not a day for gaiety. This is the day the atom bomb, called the Thunderbolt, had been dropped on Hiroshima.
Sadako’s grandmother and thousands of others died on that awful day in 1945. Thousands more were badly scarred or suffered the lethal effects of the bomb over time through diseases like leukemia. Her mother and father call Sadako to prayer before the beginning of the day.
During this prayer, the family prays that the souls of their deceased relatives are happy and peaceful. Mr. Sasaki especially prays that his family will be spared of the dread atom bomb disease of leukemia. With the prayer concluded, the family gets ready for the Peace Day activities.
After breakfast, Sadako takes her friend Chizuko’s hand and the girls race towards the center of Hiroshima. After hearing speeches from Buddhist priests and eating delicious cotton candy, the family lights candles in paper lanterns and sets them out on the Ohta River in memory of the dead.
Sadako continues running, and wants to win the sixth-grade race. But she suddenly starts losing energy and becomes dizzy after physical exertion. Why can’t a 12-year-old girl keep running? Could the Thunderbolt be about ready to claim another victim? How does Sadako and her family face this situation? What role does a beautiful silk kimono with cherry blossoms play in the story? Why does Sadako begin folding paper cranes? Finally, why is Sadako today a hero in Japan?
To find out, read this heart-breaking, beautifully told story, "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes," by Eleanor Coerr.
"Escaping the Giant Wave"
by Peg Kehret.
Simon and Schuster Books For Young Readers, New York, 2003, 151 pages, Grades 4-6.
Original review Dec. 15, 2006
Kyle Davidson thinks about all the things he wants to do when sixth grade is over. One of his wishes is to not be bullied by Daren Hazelton, the meanest kid in his class. With the coming of summer, he thinks he will be freed of Daren’s nasty tricks that make his life miserable.
Returning home at the end of the day, Kyle discovers his father has won the Salesman of the Year award, with a vacation trip to Oregon as a prize. His thrill of going from his home in Kansas to the Pacific Ocean is tempered with parents telling him he must take care of his 8-year-old sister, Beebee.
Upon arriving in Oregon the Davidsons are not placed in the modern beautiful Frontier Lodge, but the decrepit Totem Pole Inn on the ocean front. Then, much to Kyle’s dismay, he discovers that Mrs. Hazelton has also won a similar reward as the Virtual Salesperson of the Year and brought Daren along to Oregon.
With his vacation interrupted by his bullying classmate, Kyle walks along the beach with his family. There Mr. Davidson points out what the family must do if an earthquake strikes the coast, causing a tsunami. Kyle pays close attention to his father’s warning. Kyle’s parents then leave and take the cruise ship Elegant Empress to begin a night of award presentations and feasting.
Events now begin unfolding at a dizzying rate. Disaster strikes, Kyle must learn how to find courage in the face of overwhelming odds.
Will he succeed in saving himself and his sister? Should he save the boy who has made his life miserable for years? Could you hold onto your wits and your sister in the face of a tidal wave? To find out, read this interesting, well told story, "Escaping the Giant Wave" by Peg Kehret.
This book was chosen by the elementary school students of Nebraska for the Golden Sower Award as the most popular book in the state for Grades 4-6 in 2006.
