A Single Shard

Author: Linda Sue Park

Publishing information: (Clarion Books, April 23, 2001, Ages 9-12)

Number of Pages: 160 pages

Genre: Historical fiction

Summary of Plot:

            This book is about an orphan boy, named tree ear, who lives under a bridge with a man named Crane-man, also homeless. Over time he periodically watches a skilled potter at his work. He learns some skills just by watching Min, the potter. Once he went out of hiding to look at the pottery up close, this upset Min. As payment Tree-ear was to work for him for nine days. He completed his time, and kept helping him. The work was not always what Tree-ear wanted to do, but he persisted in hope that he would learn how to pot. Min had told him he wouldn’t teach him because he wasn’t his son, a tradition.

            One day Min was chosen to have his pottery looked at by the Emissary Kim. It would require Tree-ear to make a several day’s journey to get there. He went, but along the way robbers got a hold of the pottery and threw them off a cliff. The only thing Tree-ear had to show was a single shard of the pottery. Upon showing it to the Emissary, he was told to tell Min that he got a commission to work for the emissary.

Crane-man ends up dying after having been dumped into cold water after a bridge collapsed underneath him. Min and his wife allow Tree-ear to live with them.

My Reaction to the book:

            This book was very interesting. I liked the plot. It flowed well from start to finish. It aslo had good imagery. I could picture the setting in my head. Having it historical was also a good plus for my taste. I like historical fiction.

           

Potential Problems:

            Robbers

           

Recommendations:

           

I would recommend this book to those who like historical fiction. It has won a Newbery award. It is well deserved. It has a good ending, though it is sad that Crane-man dies. Kids will like it. It can be used in lesson plans.