A Single Shard
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A Single Shard
by Authors:
LINDA SUE PARK
Released: 11 February, 2003
ISBN: 0440418518
Paperback
Sales Rank: 3262
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List price:
$6.50
Our price:
$5.85
(You save: $0.65)
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| Book > A Single Shard > Customer Reviews: |
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Average Customer Rating: 
A Single Shard >
Customer Review #1:
 A Very Inspiring Book
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.
A Single Shard >
Customer Review #2:
 A Single Shard
A Single Shard is the story of an orphaned boy named Tree-ear. He lives in the village of Chulpo, 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.
Chulpo 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 Mins 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.
A Single Shard >
Customer Review #3:
Looking for a satisfying read?
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 masters 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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A Single Shard >
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