A Single Shard is an inspirational John Newbery Medal book that takes place in Korea during the 12th century and reflects the culture and the economic conditions of the people. It teaches us timeless morals and traits to living.

Tree-ear is a homeless orphan. He lives under a bridge with Crane-man. Together, they scavenge for food in the woods but often go hungry.

Tree-ear knows that, in all of C’hulpo, there is no potter with finer skills than Master Min. Each day Tree-ear visits the work site where the master potter works on his beautiful creations.

Min is a perfectionist. He throws a lump of clay onto his wheel and reshapes it over and over again until his pottery is flawless. Tree-ear becomes drawn to Min’s work. He watches Min gracefully shape the clay into beautiful pots, vases, and bowls. Tree-ear dreams of one day making his own prunus vase. (The Maebyeong or prunus vase from the Goryeo era represents one of Korea’s most treasured pottery style inlaid with cloud and crane design.)

Tree-ear clumsily breaks one of Min’s precious potteries. In order to pay off his debt, Tree-ear becomes Min’s servant for a year. Tree-ear helps by cutting clay and wood for his master.

When the royal Emissary Kim comes to commission a new potter for the royal court, Min works hard to produce his best creations. To Min’s frustration, the pottery comes out of the kiln brown and speckled instead of the beautiful jade green. After the failed attempt, Min works on a second batch. This time he is successful and creates some of his finest work.

Min needs to present his work to the royal court but due to his age and fragile condition, he is unable to travel. In lieu of Min, Tree-ear goes on a long journey to Songdo to present specimens of his master’s finest pottery to the royal emissary.

Tree-ear experiences hardships on his journey. He is confronted by malicious robbers who take his pottery and throw it down a ravine. Everything is ruined. Tree-ear is disgraced and ashamed, but he finally gathers his courage and continues his journey to Songdo.

He takes the largest celadon shard from the broken pottery to present to Emissary Kim. Even though it was a single shard, it shows all of his master’s great skills and grace in making pottery. To everyone’s amazement, Min is commissioned by the Emissary.

Master Min and his wife adopt Tree-ear as their son. Tree-ear is given a new name — Hyong-pil. He is shown honor because he shares the first syllable of his name with Min’s deceased son, Hyong-gu. Tree-ear is accepted as an apprentice and their son. Tree-ear is able to fulfill his dream of making pottery equal to Min’s craftsmanship.

A Single Shard is a gripping book that realistically portrays the emotions of the characters. Tree-ear, though poor and insignificant, chooses to exercise noble virtues. He believes in working hard instead of stealing, which in some cases is easier for a pauper. Tree-ear shows courage, perseverance, humbleness, and nobleness.

Recommendation

A Single Shard. Author Linda Sue Park.

This book is recommended for ages 11 and up.

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-Mackenzie

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