Rating: 
Summary: A very pleasant surprise
Review: I was assigned to read a Newbery award winner for a children's literature class at WV State college. I didn't think I would like this book, but I was wrong. The book is very interesting and easy to understand. It is set in Korea in the mid to late 12th century. An orphan named Tree-ear is raised by a homeless man. The orphan begins working for a master potter but he is basically working just to get food for him and Crane-man, the homeless man who is raising him. There are parts of this book that made me cry--sad AND happy tears. There are also parts that surprised me, especially towards the end of the book. This book would be a great read while sunning by the pool.
Rating:
Summary: A Single Shard - A must read for courage building
Review: Tree-ear is one of the most couragwous pre-teens I have ever met. He knows in his heart what is the right thing to do and he is going to it no matter what others think. His life journey from Songdo as an infant and back to serve his master Potter Min is remarakable. Linda Sue Park is a wonderful storyteller and Tree-ear and Crane-man have a wonderful story that should be a must read in our middle schools. I am so pleased that God led me to this book, that I felt it a dis-justice not to share a few thoughts about it. If you are looking to understand middle schoolers better, or how a middle schooler comes into his/her own, or how to find courage, or how to see and show love then this book needs to be on your book shelf. This is not a once read novel, it is one that will call you back again and again.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book!
Review: I could bore you with a summary of this book but that would be useless since you can read other reviews. I only have to say this book is great, the slow laid-back writing style gives you a feel for how 12th century Koreans lived at that time. A great character study to discuss with classroom or other young readers. Invest in this book!
Rating:
Summary: A Single Shard
Review: I read this book in preparation for a conference presentation last year. I was not particularly excited about the task, but as I began to read, the characters came alive! I can understand why this book won the Newberry. I became emotionally attached to Tree-Ear and read on to see if he was successful in his goals. At several points during the book, I cried along with the story. In my opinion, a book that can make me sympathetic enough to cry is a good story!
Rating:
Summary: First-Rate Children's Literature
Review: Tree-Ear is a 12-year-old orphan boy growing up in 12th-century
Korea. Orphaned, he spends his time living under a bridge with his "guardian" of sorts, Crane-Man, and obtaining scraps of food for a living. Despite the fact that Tree-Ear loves Crane-Man and is extremely loyal to him, Tree-Ear desires to learn the craft of the nearby master potter, Min. Tree-Ear watches Min work on his "wheel" for many days, yet one day when he cannot see Min at work, Tree-Ear decides to browse in the shed that holds Min's clay pots. After a few minutes of looking at the master's work, Tree-Ear is spotted by Min. In alarm, he drops the pot he is holding. Min commands that Tree Ear work for him for ten days to repay this debt, and after these ten days are finished, Tree-Ear requests that he be allowed to be an apprentice to Min. Although he never gives up hope of being allowed to learn the skills of his master, Tree-Ear becomes more and more discouraged as he finds that Min only allows him to perform the menial tasks involved with pottery. Can Tree-Ear ever win the respect of the potter? Can he somehow convince the king of Korea that his court should be supporting the beautiful, detailed, and superior work of Min instead of that of rival potter Kang? Finally, Tree-Ear decides he must go on a journey himself to prove to the royal Korean court that Min is worthy of their support...yet Tree-Ear knows not what the journey will bring him... Filled with adventure, history, and strong characters, "A Single Shard" is truly an impeccable work. To begin with, the story is paced perfectly. Author Linda Sue Park definitely knows how much description is enough, and her story flows in a seamless manner not often seen in books. This knowledge of "flow" and "timing" also gives the book just enough adventure and great appeal to a younger audience. Character development in "A Single Shard" is equally expert. Tree-Ear is a wise choice for a main character in such a novel, for although he "lives" in 12th-century Korea, his thoughts and actions are timeless and universal. Readers will feel with him the excitement of watching Min build a pot, the thrill of gaining an apprenticeship with the master potter, and the hardship he faces on his journey to the palace. Tree-Ear is certainly an inspiring character, yet one who retains a "realness" that is refreshing. Supporting characters are excellent as well. Crane-Man, Tree-Ear's crippled friend who has been homeless for a large portion of his life, intersperses wonderful wisdom and displays of kindness into the story. Although Min at first seems selfishly cold and nearly cruel, Park interestingly reveals the "root" of his bitterness as the novel progress. And finally... ...The historical side of this book is fabulous. As a teenager, I often do not really learn a lot when reading children's literature, yet I found much fascinating info about the importance and the "culture" of pottery in Tree-Ear's time. While this may sound extremely boring, it is anything but-for the "story" of pottery is "woven" effortlessly into the story in a way that is never complicated. Expert pacing, fine characters, and an intriguingly exotic setting...what are you waiting for? I haven't read many Newberys that appeal to such a wide age range and are so carefully and expertly written!
Rating:
Summary: Subtle and moving...one of my favorites
Review: "A Single Shard" follows the tale of Tree-ear, a young orphan living in 12th century Korea. Tree-ear has lived for as long as he can remember under a bridge in the little town Ch'ul'po with his friend and mentor Crane-man, an old fellow with a crippled foot. Although Tree-ear possesses an almost humorous wealth of ethics for a street-dweller, his curiosity soon gets the better of him and he finds himself by a strange twist of fate working under the critical and often menacing eye of Min the master potter. The most lovely and enjoyable part of the book is found in the pages that follow, as Tree-ear observes the patience, dedication, and sometimes frustration put into the making of a single celadon pot. Similarly, yet not intentionally, Tree-ear utilizes these crucial elements as he strives to find favor with Min and please the potter's kind and caring wife. Ultimately, they become like a family to him, something, to an orphan such as Tree-ear, as wonderous as a clear and beautiful celadon pot that has been made to perfection. "Shard" is a story of a boy, a family, a culture, and, ultimately, how a single shard of celadon pottery changed them all forever.
Rating:
Summary: A Single Shard
Review: I liked A Single Shard because it was set out of the United States, in China. My favorite part in Chapter one was when the man in front of him drops out of his pouch and Tree-ear
(Tree-are), the boy decides to tell him so they get to patch up the bag and Tree-ear gets to keep the rice the man dropped. I would recommend this book to any one who can read through a confusing beginning. So I will give this book 5 stars.
Rating:
Summary: A Single Shard
Review: A Single Shard is based on a 13 year old boy named Tree-ear. Tree-ear watches a potter and is intrigued by his work. Tree-ear becomes the potters apprentice. He developes relationships with the potter's family and with his friend who, is almost like family. Linda Sue Park allows you to feel Tree-ear's emotions.
The last half of the book is based on a journey that Tree-ear goes on. Tree-ear suffers very difficult times, but he tries to make the most of them. A Single Shard is a seriious book and I would not recommend it for children younger than 4th grade. Initially the book may be a little confusing, but it quickly becomes clear. I really enjoyed the characters in this book and I wouldrecommend it to children who are interested in other cultures.
Rating:
Summary: A Single Shard
Review: A Single Shard is about a 13 year-old boy named Tree-ear. Tree-ear is an orphan who watches a skilled potter named Min. He is facinated by Min's work and would love to learn how to make a pot of his own. One day while Min is out, Tree-ear wanders over to look at Min's work more closely. When Min catches him, it is off to work for Tree-ear. Tree-ear works for Min for nine days and he still does not know how to make a pot. Finally Tree-ear gets up the courage to ask Min for lessons. A Single Shard is a great book. I really enjoyed it.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book: A Winner
Review: When you start to read A Single Shard you think it's one of those cute, historical fiction books, you know, nothing special. But, this is one of those bookswhere you really get into it. I couldn't keep it down. I read for hours at night, going to bed at about 10:00 PM.
A single Shard is about a boy in the 16th Century who is inspired by a potter who lives down the road. He lives with his old friend (I can't remember his name, I read it a long time ago). A while later in the book, he goes to work with this potter, and one day, the king comes to announce that there is a contest for the best pottery in Korea. So, the boy has to go to the kingdom to bring the piece of pottery to the kingdom.
A Single Shard is filled with fun and surprises. (Good for Grade 4-7 or 8). It is a great read for children and even adults.
If you're also looking for another good book, read the other book by Linda Sue Park, When My Name Was Keoko. (I think it's better than A Single Shard).
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