The Powerful Story of Sadako Sasaki
The Complete Story of Sadako Sasaki dovetails powerfully with the pursuit of peace in our modern world. Sharing Sadako’s story is a great activity to pursue with your group in conjunction with the Peace Crane Project and the exchange of cranes globally.
Masahiro Sasaki, Sadako’s brother and the co-author of the book will be answering questions from your students. Videotaped questions preferred, but written questions are also welcome. Please contact us for more information.
When I launched the Peace Crane Project, I had never heard the story of Sadako. As teachers began to sign up, they told me they were reading Sadako’s story along with exchanging cranes through me. I ordered every book I could find about her and also searched through the websites in Japan, learning her life story. I was surprised to discover that the story most often told in the USA did not match the version her family told, or that the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum taught. This discovery launched a years-long quest to bring her true story to the English speaking world.
In 2017, our mutual friend, Miyuki Sohara introduced me to Masahiro Sasaki, Sadako’s older brother. I flew to Japan to meet him, spending as many hours as I could interviewing him and meeting with the staff at the Hiroshima Peace Museum. Masahiro and I decided to collaborate on a new book, working together to bring the Complete Story of Sadako Sasaki to the USA and beyond.
Initially self-published, the book is now being released by Tuttle Publishing in Spring 2020. Please look for it soon. Meanwhile, you can read more about the book and Masahiro on our website.
Sue DiCicco