The Last Paper Crane is a book in three parts focused on the events which unfolded in Hiroshima in 1945. We begin in almost current day - Mizuki is talking with her grandfather. He is clearly agitated and unable to move past something that has happened to him as a younger man. Eventually he decides to tell her so that the memory will live on and not die with him. The book then moves on to take a look at the horrifying events of August the 6th 1945. We see how people were just carrying out their normal day to day activities when tragedy struck and their lives were torn apart. We follow Mizuki's grandfather during his recovery from the blast and learn how he begins to rebuild his life whilst desperately trying to make good on a promise he made.
The Last Crane is really nicely written - the reader gains a sense of the horrors of the day but without excessive graphic detail. The story is well told and allows us to get to know Ichiro and understand why his promises mean so much to him and why he feels he cannot move on from that day.
There are some lovely illustrations throughout and some instructions to make your own origami crane at the end which adds a nice touch. I think this book will appeal to a wide range of readers. Definitely worth a read!
The Last Crane is really nicely written - the reader gains a sense of the horrors of the day but without excessive graphic detail. The story is well told and allows us to get to know Ichiro and understand why his promises mean so much to him and why he feels he cannot move on from that day.
There are some lovely illustrations throughout and some instructions to make your own origami crane at the end which adds a nice touch. I think this book will appeal to a wide range of readers. Definitely worth a read!