by
3.66 of 5 stars
“A contemplative story.”—Booklist

When twelve-year-old Angela Kato arrives in L.A., the last thing she wants to do ... read full description

reviews

Jul 21, 2010
Lindsey rated it: 4 of 5 stars
APALA YOUTH LITERATURE HONOR BOOK (2009)

Format: Novel
Age level: Middle school / early high school
Protagonist: Angela Kato, a 12-year-old Asian-Amerian girl

Brief Summary: Angela is sent to visit her grandparents in Los Angeles for the summer while her parents work through a possible divorce. While there, Angela helps at her grandparents' flower shop and aids in creating 1001 crane displays. Through her time in Los Angeles, Angela begins to develop relationsip More...
Jan 29, 2009
Christine rated it: 4 of 5 stars
for 6th grade parent-child book club...Marisa's pick.

This was a refreshing little book. More realistic than the usual parent-child book club picks have been lately. I think part of the "refreshing" feeling comes from the present-tense narration. The reader is right there, in the slightly wise-cracking 12-year-old's head.

I think Marisa is going to ask about a favorite quote from the book when we meet, so I would have to say mine is from p. 147: "I don't kno More...
Dec 01, 2009
Susan rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Good especially for sixth and seventh graders. The main character is a Japanese-American girl, twelve years old. She is very much indoctrinated into the Amercan culture, as opposed to her Japanese grandparents. Angie is sent to live with her maternal grandparents in LA during the summer while her parents work out problems in their marriage. The grandparents own a florist, and one of their specialties is creating displays of 1,001 cranes that symbolize good luck at weddings and anniversary partie More...
Apr 21, 2010
Jocelyn rated it: 3 of 5 stars
A very sad story of a Japanese-American born girl, Angela Kato, but 100 % American. Everything is going wrong for Angela. First, she's moving to LA with her grandparents for the summer. And if that's not bad enough, Angela's parents are divorcing! Angela's oriental culture, of Japanese traditions are putting the pressure on her, to fold 1001 origami cranes for weddings in her grandparents' flower shop. Angela, not being proud of being Japanese, doesn't want to waste her precious summer with her More...
Aug 14, 2010
Charlyn rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Just when twelve-year-old Angela truly believes she needs to be at home to monitor her parents’ fragmenting marriage, her mother chooses to send her to her grandparents’ home in a San Francisco suburb. There she will spend her summer folding origami cranes for her grandparents’ business. She feels like a stranger in their home, not really understanding either of her grandparents or her Aunt Janet or their shared Japanese heritage. During the summer, Angela learns a great deal about love and t More...
Mar 20, 2011
Amanda rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Angie is trying to find her way in a world that has been turned upside down. Her parents aren't getting along, she has to go to her grandparents for the summer, and she doesn't know what to do. She is put to work making paper cranes for the 1001 cranes displays. At first they are not perfect, but they continue to get better and better as she learns more. In the same way, her life seems to be falling apart, but as time goes on, Angie learns to accept things for the way they are. Throughout the su More...
Apr 13, 2009
Raina rated it: 3 of 5 stars
It took a while for me to engage in this one - it's a gentle novel, even though it stars skateboards, adultery, divorce, and family conflict. Our heroine has been coerced into spending the summer with her grandparents. During the summer, she learns how to fold origami cranes. Some of the conflict and feelings seem a bit mature for a 12-year-old, but then I have to remember how old I felt then. Kinda wish the skateboarding and the urban setting was pumped up a bit, with a less girly cover. B More...
Jan 11, 2009
dogluvers867 rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This book was phenominal. It really touched me and I like how Angela isn't the typical Angel who is so innocent and is perfect, it was actually really realistic in that Angela did mess up. SHe did have her ups and downs. But, all in all, she was a good girl and did a good thing in the end. The last part of the book was just so great. And it's really nice how Angela and everyone around her just totally loves their family and friends and would do anything to be with them. This book deserves two th More...
May 19, 2011
Nozomi rated it: 2 of 5 stars
"I stare at two Japanese masks hanging beside the door. One, a hideous demon face with horns and a menacing grin, is made out of wood. ... Next to the demon is the white face of a woman, her skin the color of the ashy end of a cigarette" (16). Angie describes these masks at her grandparents' house. I have memories of two similar masks above the kitchen at my own grandparents' house.

This book brought back a lot of different things I missed and forgotten. Anko mochi. Noh mas More...
Jan 31, 2009
Marisa rated it: 3 of 5 stars
It's a heartfelt story from the point of view of an adolescent girl, as she takes a life changing journey. It includes all the things most adolescent girls think about; Boys, how they look, and so on.. But it is also includes important life lessons such as; Be careful what you say and think about how others might perceive it and also that every hard and/or bad experience is just an experience, and that in the end it will all work out for the better.
Feb 27, 2009
Cymiki rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Read this because i have been enamored with the author's other titles - a series of cozy type mysteries involving an older Japanese American retired gardener who solves mysteries. Have to admit that they are "comfortable" reading for me because the author incorporates the Japanese pidgen terms and customs - feels like home!

This story follows a 12 year old adjusting to her parent's divorce, & learning more about her grandparents and herself in the summer she spends with th
Jan 28, 2009
Anne Marie rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Angela is a Japanese American girl who goes to live with her grandparents for the summer as her parents work through their separation. Her big project for the year is working on 1,001 crane displays for weddings and anniversaries. She meets new friends, has her first boyfriend, and learns a little about love. Several Japanese words and phrases are explained throughout the book, and there is a how-to at the end of the book on cranes.
Feb 10, 2010
Brenda added it
Angela Kato's parents are having problems and she is sent off to live with her grandparents in Southern California for the summer, much to her dismay. Her parents order "no monku" or no complaining about it. To top it all off, she has to help her grandparents at their flower shop, creating origami displays of 1001 cranes. This is an interesting little story and Angela is very relatable. I can see it being very appealing to a sixth grade girl.
Jun 11, 2010
Bridget R. rated it: 2 of 5 stars
Angie is being sent away for the summer. She's to stay with her grandparents and help them make the 1001 crane displays for weddings. Angie knows something is wrong with her family, but her parents aren't talking. She knows her father has another apartment because she answered t he phone when his new landlady called. She fears the worst. Are her parents getting a divorce? In the midst of all this personal trouble, Angie struggles to learn origami, in particular the folding of cranes. She meets a More...
Sep 18, 2011
Debbie rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Not only is this an interesting look into the Japanese American culture, but a twelve-year old girl dealing with a first boyfriend, her parents possible divorce, and other middle school age drama. Several cultural things I could relate to, and enjoyed the story behind 1001 paper cranes being folded for good luck for weddings/anniversaries.
Apr 15, 2009
Sara rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This was a quick read geared towared Jr. High aged girls. I would recommend this book for a Mother Daughter or girl book club. An interesting look into the Japanese American culture.
Aug 01, 2011
Kuwana added it
Pre-teen life during a transitional time in her immediate family. She learns to love her extended family more through work and through the consciousness of gratitude.
Aug 15, 2009
Mary rated it: 4 of 5 stars
A 12 year old Japanese American girl goes to live with her grandparents. She learns about love, friendship, and making 1001 cranes to commemorate weddings and anniversaries.
Oct 27, 2009
Youth rated it: 3 of 5 stars
A great choice for a Mother Daughter Book Club. 12 year old Angela Kato rebels at having to live with her mother's family while her parents are in the middle of a divorce. Wonderful story with realistic characters! SD
Apr 19, 2010
Kayla rated it: 3 of 5 stars
A lovely and fresh take on a multicultural youth. The story was touching and well written and I found myself relating to this amazingly strong young Japanese American girl.
Feb 12, 2010
Nix rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This book was okay. Love the cover but the inside is too casual. I thought this was a different book and read it on accident.
Feb 14, 2011
Gisellevhc rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book is very interesting its about family culture and 1001 cranes.
Jan 19, 2012
Gwen rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Angela Kato, a 12-year-old Japanese-American, is sent to live with her grandparents for the summer and is tasked with making 1001 origami paper cranes - a traditional display for Japanese ceremonies (weddings, anniversaries, etc). Her troubled parents are on the brink of divorce and Angie, confused as to where she fits in, lashes out and searches to find something to believe in. The ending of the book seemed quick and left a few things unresolved, but I almost cried and felt hopeful for Angie's More...
Oct 31, 2010
Alice rated it: 5 of 5 stars
it was great but sad!! :) i really luved the happy ending at the end..
Dec 11, 2010
Madison rated it: 3 of 5 stars
It was good, the Japaneese influances intrest me.
Sep 17, 2009
Sarah rated it: 3 of 5 stars
3.5 stars, really...reviewed 9/18/09 on http://writingya.blogspot.com/
Feb 08, 2012
Peggy rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Very good! Interesting characters and plot.
Apr 11, 2011
Katie rated it: 5 of 5 stars
10001 crane is a very sad book. her parents plan divorce while she is in Los Angeles with her grandma. She tries her best to deal with it so she spends her time folding paper cranes.this book is good for a girl who in the same situations as angela's because her feeling and her emotion tells a lot to the reader.
Dec 11, 2008
Sarah Mae rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Angela does not want to be in LA with her grandparent's this summer. Instead of skateboarding with her friends, she's learning how to fold perfect paper cranes. Instead of getting her parents back together, she's sharing her grandma with a pesty girl. Will she ever survive?
Apr 15, 2009
dogluvers867 rated it: 4 of 5 stars
so far so good. angela reminds me of one of my friends at school...we always tell her "no monku!"

another few word for angela to add to her dictionary:

"yokimachee" shut up
"siyonada" bye
"ohiogoziemas" good morning
"arigato" thank you