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A Single Shard
A Single Shard
Author: Linda Sue Park
Tree-ear, an orphan, lives under a bridge in Chulpo, a potters' village famed for delicate celadon ware. He has become fascinated with the potter's craft; he wants nothing more than to watch master potter Min at work, and he dreams of making a pot of his own someday. When Min takes Tree-ear on as his helper, Tree-ear is elated until he f...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780395978276
ISBN-10: 0395978270
Publication Date: 4/23/2001
Pages: 160
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 39

3.9 stars, based on 39 ratings
Publisher: Clarion Books
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

althea avatar reviewed A Single Shard on + 774 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I picked this up because it was a Newbery award winner, and because I'd rather enjoyed another book by Park, "When my Name was Keoko," which deals with more modern Korean history. This story is also set in Korea, but in the 12th century. It tells of an orphan boy, Tree-Ear, who gradually becomes assistant to a talented potter, and finds himself going on a journey to try to win the potter an Imperial commission. The characters are sensitively drawn and believable, and the small dramas of the tale momentous in feeling. Plus, the reader gets to learn a little bit about Korean pottery, which is very interesting!
reviewed A Single Shard on + 13 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This was a very good book, I would say that it is for ages 10 to 14. It is a pretty easy read, but very good!
joshnjill avatar reviewed A Single Shard on
Helpful Score: 2
This was a great book. I can see why it won the Newbery award. I am an adult who is reading these books to catch up on all the good literature I missed as a young adult. This book would be good for both readers.
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reviewed A Single Shard on + 134 more book reviews
This ccount of a creative spirit on its journey toward fulfillment is set in twelfth-century Korea, where the course of human destiny could be determined by a single celadon(pottery) shard.
reviewed A Single Shard on + 201 more book reviews
This is a Newbery Award-winning children's novel about a 12th-century Korean potter's village, through the eyes of a homeless orphan who works for a talented potter, and by the end of the story becomes his apprentice. I'm not sure it's really worthy of the highest U.S. literary award for a children's book, but it is well written and presents a story set in a time and place that has seldom been written about.
reviewed A Single Shard on
I have used this book for my high readers in 4th grade for literature circles. It brings great discussion and students will seek out new knowledge about content using the Internet.
reviewed A Single Shard on
The story of the orphaned boy was well written and a page turner. I ordered the book for my 9 year old nephew and decided to read it first. The content is great of various ages. I enjoyed the writer's telling of the story with such Eastern detail. The social customs are spot on target and makes the reasons for such behavior more palatable. Reading the context of the boys circumstances in his culture makes his achievements and travails more vivid. Good read! I can't wait for my nephew to read it so we can talk about it.
annapi avatar reviewed A Single Shard on + 334 more book reviews
Set in Korea in the 12th century, this is the story of a poor orphan boy, Tree-ear, who lives with his crippled friend Crane-man under a bridge. Surviving on garbage scraps and whatever food they can scrounge, Tree-ear is nevertheless a happy boy. He loves to secretly watch the potters at work, particularly the master Min. When he accidentally breaks one of his pieces, Tree-ear must work for the potter for 9 days to pay for the damage. Thus begins an unorthodox apprenticeship, which slowly develops into a friendship with the gruff old potter and his kind wife. When the king's emissary comes to town, his master is given a chance to win a royal commission, and Tree-ear must travel to the King's Court to deliver samples of Min's work.

I loved the elegant simplicity of this book - it tells of the simple lives of simple people with a quiet grace and serenity that touched me deeply. It's the story of Tree-ear's growing up and coming of age, as well as of friendship and what constitutes family. Well-deserving of the Newbery medal!

Book Wiki

Common Title
Original Publication Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
People/Characters
Tree-Ear (Primary Character)
Crane-Man (Major Character)
Min the Potter (Major Character)
Min's wife (Major Character)
Awards and Honors

Genres: