Newbery Book #1 - A Single Shard

Last night I read A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park. It was an incredible literary experience. I read the whole book in one sitting, although that was not my original intent. I chose it because I remembered hearing a review of it at a librarians' conference and I was intrigued at the time. As soon as I got home from the library, I dove in. Four hours later, I finished it.
This book is not just a story of a young orphaned boy (Tree-ear) in 12th Century Korea; it is a tale of survival and perseverance, of poverty and loss. Set in a potters' village, Park illustrates the culture of the potters and their apprentices working in the community of Ch'ulp'o and the color of its unique celadon glaze so clearly that the reader can picture every detail of the wood-cutting, clay collection, and draining to make the slip. She colors every inch of wares that the potters humbly display for the royal commissary in proud but desperate hopes of the all-important Royal Commission.
Tree-ear's friend, Crane-man is a sweet, kind, crippled homeless man who made his home under a bridge in the village. During a terrible plague, a toddler Tree-ear was denied entry to the local monastery, a place where orphans and disadvantaged could usually find solice and protection. After being protected and cared for by Crane-man, the monks came to retrieve Tree-ear but he refused to leave his new home and father figure. There, the two friends make their home scavenging for kernels of rice and fish to eat and trying to stay warm in the winters.
On many days and nights Tree-ear hid under a tree and watched a nearby potter throw and mold his clay on the wheel. He longed to learn the art and envisions his very own prunus vase, an oriental tradition. However, the tradition, whether by law or by time, is that the craft is passed down from father to son. Potter Min, the focus of Tree-ear's admiration, had lost his only son to the plague and refuses to bestow upon him any of his expertise, the greatest in the village. Through a series of events, Tree-ear becomes apprentice to the grouchy Master Potter Min and serves him well.
So as not to ruin anyone's experience of prediction and speculation, which greatly add to this literary work, I will not divulge anymore of the plot. I can say that this book is a quick, easy, and very exciting read. Amongst (assumedly) literal specifics of being orphaned, homeless, and living in a culture where tradition often seems idiosyncratic, Park allows the reader intimate insight into the relationship between Tree-ear and Crane-man and just a slight insight into the relationship between Tree-ear and Min's gentle, generous wife.
The themes of this book are numerous, and somewhat subjective to the reader's own experience. To me, who has two very indulged children, the idea of appreciativeness and gratitude amidst any circumstances was strong and repeated throughout the story. I also noticed the highest lessons of morality and ethics that Crane-man passed on to Tree-ear, even as they slept in rags, under a bridge, and with empty stomachs. Hard work, honesty and respect are other ideas that the author continuously presents throughout the book.
A true bildungsroman, Tree-ear, who seemingly has nothing, suffers even greater loss throughout the plot and thereby undergoes a process of maturation. Suspense is a big factor in this story and the resolution is not ultimately revealed until page 147 of the 148-page book.

My final comments would be this: I had no idea I would enjoy this book as much as I did; I was surprised at how much it drew me in and I did not get off the couch even to get a drink of water or anything. I even stayed focused on the story while my family watched a loud, obnoxious television show in the same room. (Note: my family is not loud and obnoxious, just the television show.) I would highly, highly recommend this book to students and adults just for pleasure reading but the educational and classroom integration activities are endless! Enjoy!

Park, L.S. (2001). A Single Shard. New York: Clarion Books.

Welcome!

Welcome! This is my reading blog for my summer class, LME 518, Advanced Children's Literature. Each post will cover different assigned topics. I hope you enjoy my reading blog and will respond to anything, anytime!