A Single Shard

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Summary: An Orphan Boy
Review: A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park is a tale of overcoming the limitations set by one's society through hard work and perseverance. The protagonist, a young orphan boy named Tree-ear is our guide through 12th century Korean life. The underside of a bridge serves as a home for Tree-ear and his older friend Crane-man in the small town of Ch'ul'po. Tree-ear and Crane-man spend much of their days scavenging for food in garbage heaps and on occasion finding fish. Aside from this being the young boy that Tree-ear is, he gets curious and ends up spying on the master potter min. When Tree-ear's curiosity gets the best of him, he waits until Min is gone and begins to handle the beautiful Celadon Pottery that Min has crafted. In an instant it slips from Tree-ears hands and breaks. This begins Tree-ear's journey as a helper to the potter Min, thus to pay off his debt of the broken pottery. The story unravels quickly as Tree-ear wants so badly to make a pot of his very own; however Min would never let a young orphan boy learn his very sacred trade. As the reader follows Tree-ear we too, sit and hope that he will be able to over come his predestined fate as an orphan boy.

Ms. Park takes the reader on an emotional journey with Tree-ear as we see him make sacrifices for his dear friend Crane-man and work even when it seemed like Min was never happy with him. Tree-ear's feelings and struggles come to life as he experiences despair in not pleasing the potter Min. Tree-ear's success are also touching; however you will have to read the book to find out how.

Ms. Park does an exceptional job of demonstrating the roles of various people in a typical Korea society. The master potter is a perfectionist who finds it indecent to apprentice anyone but a "real" son. Potter Min's wife is the traditional woman of the house who takes care of the family and at times even takes care of Tree-ear behind Min's back. Having all these roles clearly defined helps the reader to see how Tree-ear really is defying what the town has written as his fate.

I would recommend this book to all children ages 8 and above. It really gives children a sense of societal roles, hard work, family traditions, and other cultures.

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Summary: Tree-ear and 12th Century Korea
Review: A Single Shard is a story written by Linda Sue. The central figure of the novel is a young orphan named Tree-ear who is from 12th century Korea. One day during his walks in the wood, he finds master Min and his potter wheel. Tree-ear secretly watches potter Min on the wheel, then he decides to presents himself to potter Min to become his apprentice. Potter Min rejects his offer at first, but after more consideration he allows himself to be persuaded. Potter Min puts Tree-ear to work demanding hard labor and long working days. In return, Tree-ear is given food and lessons in ceramics.

Towards the end of the novel, Tree-ear is given the task to deliver a royal commission from Potter Min to the royal court. Unlucky, Tree-ear breaks the commissioned piece. The novel ends with lessons in friendship.

The novel gives the reader a view of life in Korea during the 12th century. For folks who dabble in ceramics, the novel is a reminder to be generous and attentive especially to budding ceramicists.

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Summary: A Single Shard
Review: A Single Shard is the story of an orphaned boy named Tree-ear. He lives in the village of Ch'ul'po, on the west coast of Korea in the mid- to late twelfth century. Tree-ear lives under a bridge with Crane-man, who is homeless and disabled. Orphans are uncommon in Korea at this point in history. Crane-man agrees to raise Tree-ear because Crane-man is also without family.
Ch'ul'po is famous for its beautiful celadon pottery. Most of the families from which Tree-ear and Crane-man beg food are involved in pottery making. Tree-ear spends many hours watching the potters and wishes that he could learn to be a potter. However, the law states that the pottery trade can only be handed down from father to son. Tree-ear knows that none of the master potters will agree to teach him the trade. Tree-ear does find work with the master potter, Min. Tree-ear chops wood and digs for clay for Min in exchange for meals.
A royal emissary comes to town in order to award a pottery commission to one of the master potters. The commission will guarantee the potter to whom it is awarded a life-ling income. The royal emissary likes Min's work and wants to see more of it. Min begins to work on a very special piece of pottery. This piece takes Min a very long time to create. When Min is finished, Tree-ear volunteers to take the special piece to the royal court. In doing so, he sets out on the adventure of a lifetime.
This book is full many technical terms related to the making and firing of Korean celadon pottery. The culture in which this story takes place would be relatively unfamiliar to the majority of the audience for which this book is recommended. It may be difficult for young readers to completely understand this story with out additional background information that would better enable them to understand the cultural context. Additionally, much of the language used in this book would be difficult for readers to understand. However, the overall theme of perseverance this book is one to which children should be exposed.

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Summary: Short and Sweet.
Review: A SINGLE SHARD tells about a young orphan boy named Tree-ear who lives under a bridge with an old man called Crane-man in late 12th century Korea. Tree-ear was brought to Crane-man by the monks at the temple several years ago. Perhaps they felt that the child would help the crippled man in his old age. Whatever the case, the two have lived together for ten years, living off of scraps from rubbish piles and fallen rice. One of Tree-ear's favorite activities is to secretly watch the master potter, Min, create works of art. Eventually, Tree-ear becomes Min's apprentice and sets forth on a journey that changes their lives forever.

A SINGLE SHARD is a wonderful book. It is full of messages about honestly, heroism, and honor. It also illustrates the difficulties an artist has in being an artist and remaining true to the creativity within. Because it takes place in a different country (Korea) and at a different time (1300's), the novel is a great book to read as part of an interdisciplinary unit or just to learn some interesting information about the history of Korea. The story is told in a very easy-to-read style, yet the simplest words are often filled with depth. This is a wonderful book and won the 2002 Newbery Medal. After reading it, it's not difficult to see why.

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Summary: A Very Inspiring Book
Review: A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park, is set in 12th century Korea. The main character of this book is a young orphan boy named Tree-ear who lives under a bridge with an old, crippled man named Crane man. When he is not rummaging for food, Tree-ear spends countless hours watching a potter named Min as he works. Tree-ear wants someday to become a potter himself, but because this trade is supposed to be handed down from father to son, it seems at first very unlikely that Tree-ear will ever realize this dream. Eventually, Tree-ear does get a job working for Min, but he is only allowed to gather firewood and collect the clay which will be made into new pots. One day a royal emissary comes to town to give a pottery commission to a master potter. The selected potter would then make the pottery for the king and his court. Min works on a piece of pottery for a long time in the hopes of submitting it to the royal commission. When the piece is finally completed, Tree-ear eagerly volunteers to take the piece to the king. What happens to Tree-ear along the way of this journey is both surprising and inspiring. I really enjoyed reading this book because the setting and time period is unique, and the characters are very realistic. I also think that this book offers many important lessons for our youth today.

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Summary: Another hit for Park
Review: I have read Linda Sue Park's other novel, When My Name Was Keoko, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I think she is an excellent author because she really makes the reader feel like they are part of the story. In this nover, Tree-Ear is a young boy who lives under a bridge, colleceting garbage for food. The book opens up with a story of Tree-Ear collectiong grains of rice from the dirt that have been dropped by a passoing farmer. Even though Tree-Ear lives a life of poverty, throughout the novel he continues to aspire for something greater. In the nearby village, there is a potter named Min, whom Tree-Ear idolizes. He spends his extra time watching Min. After breaking a pot, Min reluctantly allows the boy to help out around the shop to pay the debt. Tree-Ear is awarded the task of bringing two delicate pots to royalty, but the plan goes awry, and the potas are destroyed. All he has left is a single piece of the once-beautiful pots to show the royals. Like Linda Sue Park's other novel, A Single Shard doesn't fail to be entertaining yet historical. I really enjoyed the story. I feel as though I am no longer ignorant to the Korean culture and history after reading these two novels and seeing all that the nation has suffered through and all they have to be proud of. I am fascinated with Korean culture after reading these two great novels by Parlk. I recommend them both highly.

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Summary: Looking for a satisfying read?
Review: Looking for a satisfying read?

A Single Shard is a well-written book by Linda Sue Park. The book relates to many middle school students like myself, and has meaningful incidents.

This book had many dry scenes as well as some exciting ones. My most favorite scene (the one I think is the most enthralling) was when Tree Ear (the main character) is trying to deliver pots when he comes upon two robbers. The robbers search him for his money but he has none so they smash his pots instead. Tree Ear is devastated because he has just earned his master's trust. It is very exciting because it seems that the characters are more interested in saving the objects than themselves. I would say this is the most exciting part of the book.

The book showed me a lot of things. It showed me to stick with my creativity. Tree Ear tried to be like his master when he was fine with the way he did things. It also showed me that hard work pays off. That can relate to any kid and school. Hard work equals good grades. This book has some situations that you can relate to.

I thought this book was well written yet rather dry and boring. The story was also a little too slow for me. The book is a good read if you like to read slower moving books.

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Summary: It's an enjoyable and heart warming story. J.D.V.
Review: This story of devotion and perseverance is set in 12th century Korea among the famous potters of cheladon. An orphan by the name of Tree-ear lives under a bridge with Crane-man a lame straw weaver. They live day by day by scavenging for food. When Tree-ear accidentally breaks one of the potters vases his life changes as he works to pay him back. Tree-ear stays on after his debt is paid because he longs to learn the trade of pottery. Tree-ear's character is genuinely portrayed when he continues on his journey to the royal court after robbers break Min's vase and only a single shard is left.

The detailed portrayal of the lives of the Korean people at this time period is amazing but what truly stands out are the characters. Park does a wonderful job bringing out Min's perfectionist qualities while his wife is kind and gives Tree-ear extra food to feed him and Crane-man. Tree-ear's determination and intelligence bring him good fortune and lift him out of his poverty. This book not only gives readers an insight into an unfamiliar time and place it is a heartwarming story.