A Single Shard
by Linda Sue Park
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Book Summary Information
Author: Linda Sue ParkBrand: INGRAM BOOK & DISTRIBUTOR
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-02-11
ISBN: 0440418518
Number of pages: 192
Publisher: Yearling
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Book Reviews of A Single Shard
Book Review: A Single Shard of Success
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a tale of medieval Korea, a boy named Tree-ear, and a single potter's life desire. This is A Single Shard. It was published in 2001 by Random House. The year of 2002 was when it got its Newberry medal. The book was written by Linda Sue Park who also wrote Kite Fighters and When My Name Was Keoko. It was on the ALA booklist, awarded ALA best book for young adults, and also promoted notable book for children. I award it best book for young adults right along with ALA. Also, if I were to choose between A Single Shard and any other book of its class my pick would definitely be on A Single Shard.
In medieval Korea a boy named Tree-ear lives under a bridge with his friend Crane-man. Tree-ear is used to living off scraps of food he finds in the wealthy potters' rubbish heaps. One day when he visits Min the potter's house to watch him throw pots on his wheel he finds that Min is not there. Tree-ear likes to watch Min and knows his schedule well and was surprised he wasn't there. So Tree-ear decides to take a look at some of Min's work on a shelf. When he tries to examine it closer he accidentally drops and breaks the pottery. Eventually Min comes out and finds Tree-ear standing over his broken box that is now a clump of clay on the ground. After yelling at Tree-ear Min decides that to pay off for the damage Tree-ear should work for him. After his ten days of payment Tree-ear asks Min if he could work for him permanently in hopes of learning how to throw pots. Min says yes to this and Tree-ear is delighted. After a while Tree-ear hears that a royal commission is coming to Ch'ulp'o. With that Min has to work extra hard and inevitably so does Tree-ear. That is where Tree-ear's adventure unfolds.
I loved reading A Single Shard due to its great setting. Both the time and place caught my attention. I liked the fact that it was placed in medieval times. I always love learning about medieval cultures and economies. Another thing I enjoyed about A Single Shard's setting was that it was set in a "pottery town". I can connect to this because I throw pots. This helps me understand how hard the potters work and why Ch'ulp'o is so proud of their work. The third thing I liked about the setting in A Single Shard was that it was in Korea. It was interesting because it expanded the story with Korean cultures and traditions.
Have you ever read a good book that doesn't have excellent description? Didn't think so. The town of Ch'ulp'o is famous for their celadon pottery glaze. Linda Sue Park describes this glaze fantastically from the green-blue color to the write and blue spots that "magically" appear after the pottery is glazed. Crane-man, Tree-ear's best friend, was perfectly described. His mangled leg and the fact that he was older were orchestrated greatly. Near the end of the story Tree-ear comes to a place called the Rock of Falling Flowers. Crane-man told him to stop here after telling a story to Tree-ear. He told him when the king was in trouble in a war he and all the courtiers fled up the mountain. The women all stayed around the king, but when there was no hope they all jumped off the cliff and the colors of there dresses made it look like flowers were falling from the sky hence the name.
A Single Shard is a story of determination, courage, consequences, kindness, and hope. It teaches you to never stop hoping. Another thing you learn is that your actions always have consequences whether they're good or bad. Kindness always comes back to you is yet another thing it shows you. A Single Shard is entertaining and has great morals. I would recommend this book to someone else especially young adults like me. This fantastic book always has something to keep you reading on. A Single Shard is undeniably a quality literature book.
Summary of A Single Shard
Tree-ear is an orphan boy in a 12th-century Korean potters? village. When he accidentally breaks a pot, he must work for the master to pay for the damage by setting off on a difficult and dangerous journey that will change his life forever.Fiction Books
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