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_quincy_'s review
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
protoman21's review
5.0
Brilliant. I saw this book a hundred times but never gave it a second thought, but I am glad I finally decided to read it. It shows that a simple life sometimes holds the greatest rewards.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
In 12th-century Korea the orphan Tree-Ear longs to become a potter and learn the art of creating the much-sought exquisite celadon pottery his village is known for. His big chance comes when he begins to work for the master potter Min, and a competition for a royal commission.
This middle-grade novel is a beautiful introduction to the Korean culture, as well as to the art of pottery. Park gives us a wonderful cast of characters, starting with the main character, Tree-Ear, an orphan who wound up in the care of the homeless Crane-man, who was crippled from birth and lived under a bridge. I love their relationship, how they care for one another, and give to one another so selflessly.
I also really appreciated the complex relationship of Tree-Ear to his mentor Min, and to Min’s wife, Ajima. The cultural barriers to truly bringing him on as an apprentice were as shocking to Tree-Ear as they were to this reader.
I learned much about celadon pottery, and particularly the uniqueness of the inlay process. The Author Notes expand on the culture and the art, and sent me to Google to look up the Thousand Cranes vase.
The novel was awarded the Newbery Medal for excellence in Children’s Literature.
This middle-grade novel is a beautiful introduction to the Korean culture, as well as to the art of pottery. Park gives us a wonderful cast of characters, starting with the main character, Tree-Ear, an orphan who wound up in the care of the homeless Crane-man, who was crippled from birth and lived under a bridge. I love their relationship, how they care for one another, and give to one another so selflessly.
I also really appreciated the complex relationship of Tree-Ear to his mentor Min, and to Min’s wife, Ajima. The cultural barriers to truly bringing him on as an apprentice were as shocking to Tree-Ear as they were to this reader.
I learned much about celadon pottery, and particularly the uniqueness of the inlay process. The Author Notes expand on the culture and the art, and sent me to Google to look up the Thousand Cranes vase.
The novel was awarded the Newbery Medal for excellence in Children’s Literature.
sleepy_giraffe's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
pumpkinmasterug's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Definitely made for younger children, I would say 10-13ish, but I also enjoyed it. It’s a beautiful story about perseverance and growth in a rather peaceful (for the most part) setting. I found the ending a bit overwhelming, with Crane Man dying and then Tree Ear being adopted. I think it came across confused and spoiled the ending for me as Tree Ears final goal is completed but shrouded in such sadness. It feels rather unsatisfying and just sad. Overall, a great book I would recommend for young readers!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief and Death
kimberlyjerger's review against another edition
3.5
*3.5
2002 Newbery Medal
2003 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature for Children’s Literature Honor
2002 Newbery Medal
2003 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature for Children’s Literature Honor
orsuros's review
4.0
This is a great book with a lot of great lessons on working hard to make life better. It also shows an ancient culture in a very real and relatable way. The main conflicts are very much character-based rather than plot-based, which is refreshing but also makes it feel like the character was just trying to do what was best rather than making a tough choice. I'd give it a perfect rating if it seemed like some of the decisions were a bit deeper and tougher.
tjwallace04's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
"A Single Shard" is a lovely middle grade historical fiction story about friendship, loyalty, tenacity, hard work, and found family. I had read "A Long Walk to Water" by Park before, and "A Single Shard" cements her as a middle grade author whose backlist I now want to read. Next up, probably "Prairie Lotus," since I love prairie lit.
Premise: Tree Ear is a homeless orphan in the coastal town of Ch’ulp’o in twelfth century Korea. He lives with his friend Crane Man under a bridge, and they scavenge from trash piles and scour the local woods for mushrooms and berries to eat. But Tree Ear has always been fascinated by the local pottery industry, especially the beautiful work of master potter Min. When Tree Ear accidentally breaks one of Min's drying pots, he offers to work for him as payment, and soon Tree Ear is doing the backbreaking labor of sourcing the clay from the shore and cutting trees for the kiln. He is also observing and learning. When Min has the opportunity to gain an imperial contract from China, Tree Ear is eager to help. But can he successfully take Min's showpiece to the royal court for viewing? And will he ever find a place that feels like home?
It is a sweet and very quick story. I wish it was longer; I would have loved to spend more time with Tree Ear and Crane Man and Ajima. Park's writing is crisp and evocative. I think it would be easy even for emerging and reluctant readers to follow. It won the Newbery (which I really never realized only has one "r" in it until I read Park's acceptance speech, included in this book) in 2002.
Premise: Tree Ear is a homeless orphan in the coastal town of Ch’ulp’o in twelfth century Korea. He lives with his friend Crane Man under a bridge, and they scavenge from trash piles and scour the local woods for mushrooms and berries to eat. But Tree Ear has always been fascinated by the local pottery industry, especially the beautiful work of master potter Min. When Tree Ear accidentally breaks one of Min's drying pots, he offers to work for him as payment, and soon Tree Ear is doing the backbreaking labor of sourcing the clay from the shore and cutting trees for the kiln. He is also observing and learning. When Min has the opportunity to gain an imperial contract from China, Tree Ear is eager to help. But can he successfully take Min's showpiece to the royal court for viewing? And will he ever find a place that feels like home?
It is a sweet and very quick story. I wish it was longer; I would have loved to spend more time with Tree Ear and Crane Man and Ajima. Park's writing is crisp and evocative. I think it would be easy even for emerging and reluctant readers to follow. It won the Newbery (which I really never realized only has one "r" in it until I read Park's acceptance speech, included in this book) in 2002.