A Single Shard

By Linda Sue Park

(2001) ISBN 0395978270

We meet Tree-ear, approximately eleven years of age, during the twelfth century in Korea.  Tree ear is an orphan and has no house.  One day as he goes about foraging for food he notices the work of Min a potter and he longs to be trained by Min.  Due to a mishap Tree-ear does start to work for Min.  When an emissary from the royal court informs Min that if Min can send another example of his work to the royal court that he will be considered for a commission.  Tree-ear volunteers to travel the long distance with the pottery but after this potter is broken during the trip, Tree-ear delivers a single shard and with this delivery Min wins the commission.  This story deals with the desire to create beauty.  It seems so fitting that the mere telling of this tale is beauty itself.  It is a thoroughly convincing story and absolutely holds the reader’s interest.  A wholehearted recommendation is given this book.

Newbery Award winner of 2002