A Single Shard

Rating:
Summary: deserved to win the newbery medal
Review: at first i was suspicious that this book won the newbery medal just to be politically correct, but it turned out to be very well-written and in the end quite moving. like seesaw girl, another book by park, this book is jam-packed with factual information about a remote era in korean history. this book is set in the twelfth century, but park's story doesn't get too bogged down in the factual details and although younger readers may find the beginning to be a little slow, it picks up speed to a memorable and emotional ending.

Rating:
Summary: solid, if not terribly suspenseful
Review: This Newberry winner is set in 11th century Korea and is about a young orphan pottery apprentice called Tree-ear. Good, brief historical fiction, it (after a tough entry in the first few pages) brings us to this far off time and place and makes us care about the artistry and artistic process of these craftsmen and about the artistic urges of this young orphan. It's competent and interesting, though not thrilling. Ages 9+

Rating:
Summary: Even Mom loved it!
Review: My son brought this book home, assigned to him for a book report. In helping him read (it has a new and challenging vocabularly for a 9 year old!), I really became hooked on the story and proceeded to finish the book in one day! Great story!

Rating:
Summary: A Single Shard
Review: The book I am reviewing is called A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. It's about an orphan boy raised by a beggar named Crane Man under a bridge on the west coast of Korea. Tree-ear decides one day to go instead to the famous potter Min's house, instead of going to the usual rubbish heaps. He watches in amazement as Min shapes a beautiful vase but in disgust throws it back on the wheel. A few days later, Tree-ear comes back to Min's house only to find that Min isn't home. First time up close to Min's art, Tree-ear carefully examines a duck that almost fit in his palm with a tiny hole in its bill. He looks at the next piece which was a tall jug. The last piece on the shelf was a box. "Though the outside is plain, what about the inside?" Tree-ear thought aloud. Suddenly, Min burst in shouting and making a fuss. Tree-ear dropped the wonderful box three other boxes in it. Now he will have to work nine days of labor to make up for the badly dented box. How will Tree-ear survive a week and two days with such a hard master ordering him about? Many surprises lie ahead for Tree-ear..... Many. Read A Single Shard and find out what is in store for Tree-ear

Rating:
Summary: A Single Shard
Review: This book was a great book. The story is excellent, and for some reason unbeknownst to me, you honestly fell for Tree-Ear. I would suggest you read this book, but before you do you should get some back-up info on Korean pottery, and Korea in the time the book takes place. It may help you understand it better.

Rating:
Summary: Buy thissss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Review: Tree Ear is a touching character who is sincere and honest. Even though he is an orphan, wich automaticly makes him a reject to Korean society, he has great adventures of self-exploration and tests of his morals. This is a story of friendship more than anything, but also a story of bravery, heros,and triumph.

Rating:
Summary: The Potter's Boy
Review: The title the book I have just read is called A Single Shard,

and the author is Linda Sue Park. This story is about the

realistic adventure of a boy trying to get the job of being what

he has always wished- a potter. He was very inspired by the

great man, Min, who made the most beautiful pottery in town. One

day though, a little to much curiosity led to the consequence of

doing chores for Min. After the boy had finished all of the

chores, he hoped that he could continue to work for Min, and

that eventually he would learn how to make a pot. Soon after

many weeks of work, the royal missionaries from the King came to

see which potter would make pots for the King's castle. Another

potter named Kang had made a new type of pottery and the boy was

very nervous that his master, Min won't be chosen, even though

Kang is very sloppy with his designs. The boy is determined to

help Min get commissioned.

To me, the book has many strengths, which make it more

interesting to read. The author, Linda Sue Park, puts lots of

detail into her writing. When reading the story, you are able to

visualize everything that is happening. Another reason this book

is very good is because it tells you everything that is going

on. Not one of the parts just leaves you hanging, not really

understanding what has happened. These reasons are why I like

this book so much.

Although the story A Single Shard has many strengths,

it also has a couple of weaknesses. If you are the type of

person who enjoys fast-moving stories, where from the very first

chapter all of the excitement begins, then this book might not

appeal so much to you. It takes a while for you to figure out

everything that is happening and the most exciting parts are

closer to the very end of the book. So if you especially like

stories where all the action starts at the beginning, A Single

Shard is not most likely the kind of book for you.

Linda Sue Park, (the author), is a very talented writer.

She is descriptive in her writing and makes you feel as if you

are in the story. In A Single Shard she made sure that her

readers weren't confused, by explaining everything throughout

the book.

I would certainly recommend A Single Shard. If you like

reality- based adventure books then you're most likely enjoy

reading it. The story is easy to get drawn into and it's not

hard to understand. The type of people who like to get into the

action from the very beginning of a book wouldn't like it, but

otherwise I'd suggest that you try reading A Single Shard.

Rating:
Summary: A Single Shard book review
Review: Tara Foss
Literature for Elementary Education
9-27-03
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Parks

In the book A Single Shard by Linda Sue Parks, I felt that at first the setting and the characters were not real. But as I read on I discovered that Tree-ear and Min were just like anyone else that was trying to make a living and be successful, they were just different because they lived in the woods and made pottery
The dialogue provided insight into the characters. For example, I could tell that Tree-ear was very eager and persistent to learn about being a potter. Tree-ear says, "You would not need to teach so much as you think, sir. I have been watching you for many months now. I know how you mix the clay, turn the wheel-I have watched you make many things..." Page 18. Also, I can tell that Min has a very stubborn exterior, but underneath it all he is really a softy. Min says, "What's the matter with you, boy? Do you not understand that I have been assigned a royal commission?... How are you to help me if you don't have a wheel of your own." Page 146.
I found that the plot had many dramatic questions that make you wonder what is about to happen next. Some of the questions I found were, Will he make it to the Palace? Will the pots be chosen? And will the single piece of the pot be enough for him to get the commission?
The mood and tone of the book definitely facilitated disbelief. I felt like I was there with Tree-ear the first day he went to get the wood and his hands were bleeding and sore. Also, when the men broke his pots, my heart broke with his and I could feel his disappointment.
I considered the end of the book to be a surprise observation. I was not sure if the single piece of the pot would do or not. But I was happy to find out that it was enough. I felt that it flowed very nicely with the rest of the story. Also, I was surprised when Crane-man died. I would have to say that I truly did not expect that to happen.
I feel that this book could be of interest to a wide variety of people. I enjoyed it and I am 21 years old. I feel that it is a good book for people of various age groups. If I were to use this book in my classroom I would probably use it with a lesson that deals with maybe art. It could be used to show that art takes time and you can not give up on it. Or I would use it as a History lesson to show the time period and the different cultures.

Rating:
Summary: Gorgeous and authentic rendering of timeless themes.
Review: A unique setting, 12th century Korea, first attracted me to this novel. What I discovered in reading it that it is not only an authentic representation of its setting, but a timeless story, too. Tree-ear is a young boy who, orphaned, is forced to live in less than ideal circumstances. When he's not trying desperately to find suitable food, Tree-ear devotes his attention to the gifts of a potter, Min, and is inspired to believe in himself enough to envision his own future as a potter. The problem is that tradition calls for the trade to be handed down within a family. Tree-ear, family-less, feels like what he truly loves may be outside his means. Through determination and a couple of strategic choices, however, Tree-ear is givin a chance to shine after he crafts a piece potentially fit for a king. A beautiful book.

Rating:
Summary: surprisingly engrossing
Review: I bought this book because of the great reviews, but wasn't very excited about the Oriental theme until I started reading it. It is very well written, with highly developed characterization. I like to get to know a character well, what he is thinking and feeling, how he develops and learns, how he responds to set-backs, etc. and this book does all that. What a great book, with moral lessons which are obvious, but not too heavy handed. I highly recommend it to adults as well as children. An interesting book to have in your personal library.