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A Single Shard

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park is an award-winning novel about a young Korean boy. The story is set in a potter’s village called Ch’ulp’o in the twelfth century. Tree-ear is a poor orphan living under a bridge with his stepfather, Crane-man, a lame old man who is both a wise and caring friend and father for the boy. The name “Tree-ear” was given to him because of his excellent gift of hearing. Little did he know that his ability will cause him to get in trouble.

Tree-ear would always watch Min, an irritable and stubborn man and also the village’s most excellent potter, while he works. But one day, Tree-ear went in the potter’s house and damages one of Min’s clay boxes. Tree-ear offered to do menial work for the potter so he can pay for the damage he had done. That begins Tree-ear’s adventure with Min and his beautiful clay creations.

A Single Shard is a very beautiful and creative story, full of twists and surprising events. It had a rather sad, but still happy ending because the boy learned a lot of lessons and got what he deserved, after all the hardships he had gone through. A Single Shard is recommended to teenagers who have a liking to comedy and adventure. It also makes the readers understand the customs and traditions of Korea. Linda Sue Park has written many books like The Kite Fighters and Seesaw Girl and people who loved those books will also love A Single Shard. # Gaea Claver for NORDIS

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