Rating: 
Summary: moral values
Review: This is an interesting and excellently written book. The ceramic process is well explained and leaves you wanting to know more information about the Korean potters. The best part of the book for me though was the good morals taught by example throughout. These include respect for authority, the value of good hard work, and persistance (and the rewards that come from it.) I also liked the way the book showed adults loving Tree-ear in so many differnt ways and styles. Crane-man's love was obvious in his care and teaching. But Min, and his wife, in their own different ways, also showed that they cared for him. And in the end, Tree-ear found his own special, personal ways to honor and show his appreciation and love to Min, and finally to Crane-man. These are all excellent examples for children to be exposed to and follow. But the book is not "preachy" just an excellent story with the values woven in and through out.
Rating: 
Summary: Ethnic diversity beats interest
Review: I think some of the Newbery voters feel that every third or fourth year they must choose something to fill some unspoken ethnic diversity quota. There's no question that this is a finely written book. It's just not very interesting. As a twelve-year-old, I'd have been bored stiff.
Rating:
Summary: A Single Shard Was a Good Book
Review: I'm not sure if A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park actually deserved the Newberry Medal, but it was a pretty good book.This is the story of Tree-ear who is an orphan in Twelfth-Century Korea. He has lived under a bridge near a small potters' village and has been raised by Crane-man, a homeless widower. Crane-man has raised Tree-ear with love, teaching him those lessons needed for survival. Eventually, Tree-ear longs to become a potter. One day, Min gets a chance to provide a service for the village's best potter. It is a service which could eventually bring about the fulfillment of his dreams, but which could do just the opposite. There are two real strengths to the novel. The first is the historical aspect. Park did a wonderful job of recreating Twelfth-Century Korea. Also, the relationships depicted are apt and insightful. I only had one small problem with the book. One legend related in the novel is a Masada-like story of a mass-suicide. The "bravery" of the women who chose death over a rough life is lauded. The message sent in that story is never refuted, and I've never liked that message or thought that it should be a strong message sent to children. Nevertheless, that isn't the primary message of the novel, and the novel very good, though not great. If you like this novel, you will probably also like Yang-fu of the Upper Yang-tze.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I felt that this was an excellent book. It included interesting characters, a great plot, and what I felt was an outstanding ending. I liked the many obstacles the characters had to overcome to reach their goals and in a way the sad parts of the book. Although they were sad I felt they were necessary to really make the reader feel like they were part of the book (a fellow mourner). Also, I loved the vivid descriptions Linda Sue Park gave of the beautiful setting, as well as the characters feelings and thoughts. Overall I felt that this was a great book that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
Rating:
Summary: This book deserved the Newbery
Review: I am 12 years old, and I liked this book a lot. Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop. I ended up finishing it in about an hour and fifteen minutes. Even though the plot is very simple, there's a lot of messages inside of it. It is similar to the box that Tree-Ear finds that is simple on the outside, but inside it has many other boxes in a complex layout. For example, when the potter Min's wife discoveres Tree-Ear is saving the lunch he receives from her, she refils his bowl even when he hids it. When Tree-Ear finds the re-filled bowl, instead of being greedy the next day and eating the whole thing because he knows it will be refilled, he only eats half. Tree-Ear and Crane-Man don't have much, but they are thankful for the little that they do have. I think this book is a very good book for children, and I think it deserved to win the Newbery award.
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Summary: What the Newbery Medal means
Review: As a librarian, I know several children who liked this book a lot. But, for the confused reviewer with the heading "not Newbery Material, it's important to understand that the criteria for the Newbery do not include popularity with children. It must be written for a child audience, but the award is strictly for literary merit. A Single Shard is beautifully written. A close reading reveals excellent word choice and imagery as well as strong character development, an intriguing plot, and touches of humor that kids appreciate. Get this for your children and read it yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Book
Review: "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park is a beautifully written tale which offers fiction interspersed with history. Although I'm an adult, I enjoyed this book immensely. Congratulations to the author for winning the Newberry. Well-deserved.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not Newbery material
Review: The story is fine though predictable, and the book reads smoothly (Park makes clear writing look easy and creates some lovely lines). However, everyone I've heard compliment this book is an adult. The book's predominantly narrative style, its quiet tone, and its detailed passages about ceramics might be too subtle--or slow--for many children. I recommend the book for patient readers because the book IS good, but I puzzle over why it received the Newbery.
Rating:
Summary: good story
Review: I stumbled upon this book while looking for ceramics books at my local library. Good story with lots of interesting details about early Korean Celadon Ceramics. The characters are believable and the details (especially the ceramics ones) ae accurate. I highly reccommend it
Rating:
Summary: Newbery Winning Book
Review: I first read A Single Shard last summer. When I finished, I knew this book would win the Newbery. I have never felt that way about any other book! Linda Sue Park is a beautiful writer and excellent storyteller. A Single Shard is set in 12th century Korea and tells the story of an orphan boy who becomes the apprentice to a master potter in a small village known for its fine pottery. This story is classic historical fiction that is able to take the reader to another time, another country, and another culture and still connect with the hopes and dreams of today's youth. You don't have to be Korean to identify with the characters in this story. Readers young and old will love this touching story of faith, friendship, and perseverance. Readers will also enjoy Linda Sue Park's other books, "Seesaw Girl" and "Kite Fighters".
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