Mieko and the Fifth Treasure - by Eleanor Coerr (Paperback)

About the Book

When the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Mieko's nearby village was turned into ruins, and her hand was badly injured. Mieko loves to do calligraphy, but now she can barely hold a paintbrush. But Mieko is brave and learns that time and patience can help with many things, and may even help her find the fifth treasure.

Book Synopsis

When the bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, Mieko's nearby village was turned into ruins, and her hand was badly injured. Mieko loves to do calligraphy more than anything, but now she can barely hold a paintbrush. And she feels as if she has lost something that she can't paint without-the legendary fifth treasure, beauty in the heart. Then she is sent to live with her grandparents and must go to a new school. But Mieko is brave and eventually learns that time and patience can help with many things, and may even help her find the fifth treasure.

Review Quotes

"Coerr has created an intriguing and beautifully told tale whose strong message about friendship, self-confidence, and hope is inspiring." -Booklist, starred review

"A sensitively and beautifully crafted story. This author has created a vivid portrait of courage, drawn from a time that deserves to be remembered." -Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A warm, sensitive, and well-written story with wide appeal." -School Library Journal

About the Author

Eleanor Coerr was born in Kamsack, Saskatchewan, Canada, and grew up in Saskatoon. Two of her favorite childhood hobbies were reading and making up stories. Eleanor began her professional life as a newspaper reporter and editor of a column for children. Luckily, she traveled to Japan in 1949 as a writer for the Ottawa Journal, since none of the other staff wanted to go to a country that had been devastated by war. Coerr is the writer of numerous children's book and picture books.