A Single Shard

A Single Shard

Linda Sue Park

Clarion Books, 2001

Pages: 160

Reading Level: 9-12

Genre: Historical Fiction

Tree-ear is a boy who has grown up living with a man named Crane-man. Crane-Man raised him, and they enjoyed their life together very much. Most of their day is taken up with hunting for food, but one day Tree-ear discovers that if he hides in the trees, he can watch the potter min work. One day when Min doesn't come out to work when Tree-ear expects, Tree-Ear decides to get a closer look. He accidentally breaks one of the pieces of pottery, and Min catches him. In order to repay him, Tree-Ear offers to work for Min. Min accepts, much to Tree-Ears delight, and puts Tree-Ear to work. Tree-Ear, who thinks he is going to learn to make wonderful pottery, is actually put to work chopping wood and performing other menial tasks. After a while of this, he gets upset and asks Min when he is going to learn to make pottery. Min says never, for Tree-Ear is not his son. Tree-Ear is devastated. Around this same time, the emperors assistant comes to town to find a potter to give a commission to. He chooses a different potter, who has discovered a new way to inlay designs in his pottery. The commissioner asks Min to make a piece of pottery with the new kind of inlay and bring it to the capital, but Min says he is too old. Then Tree-Ear volunteers. They make a special basket for the pottery, and Tree-Ear starts on his way. He is almost there when he is attacked by bandits. They are upset when he has no money, so they throw his pottery off a cliff. Tree-Ear gets to the bottom and find only a single shard that is intact. He decides to take the shard to the capital, even though it is probably hopeless. When he gets there, the emperors assistant is so impressed with the beauty of the shard, that he gives him the commission anyway, but to the surprise of everyone.

I think everyone would benefit from reading this book. I would recommend it to all, young and old, male and female.

This book makes living under a bridge look like fun. It might convince some children to run away and try to live on their own.

My reaction: I really really liked this book. I think it is wonderfully written.

My rating: *****