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A review by tjwallace04
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park
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.