A Single Shard
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| Author | Linda Sue Park |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Historical novel |
| Publisher | Clarion Books |
| Released | April 23, 2001 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Pages | 160 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-395-97827-0 |
A Single Shard is the winner of the 2002 Newbery Medal, awarded for excellence in children's literature. The novel was written by Linda Sue Park, and is set in 12th-century Korea.
[edit] Plot summary
The book tells the story of Tree-ear, an orphan who lives under a bridge with a disabled old man who helps him survive. Tree-ear's dream is to become a potter, but pottery is a craft that is passed down from father to son, and he has no one to help him learn the trade. He begins to secretly watch Min, the village pottery master, as he works at creating beautiful celadon pottery. He accidentally breaks a piece of Min's pottery and must work for him to pay off the debt. Once the debt is paid, Min grudgingly allows Tree-ear to work for him in exchange for food.
One day, an emissary named Kim aide arrives to hire a potter for a new commission. While spying on other potters in the village, Tree-ear learns of a newly created technique and must decide if it is ethical to reveal the stolen information to Min. Min does get a chance to demonstrate that he can use the new inlay technique and sends Tree-ear to the emperor with samples of his best work. On route to the royal court at Songdo, the boy is attacked by robbers, and all of the pots are smashed, leaving him with just a single shard to display his master's skill. He continues his journey, confident that the shard demonstrates that his master is worthy of the commission. The emperor's assistant was about to throw Tree-ear out until Kim inspects the shard. Unsurprisingly, Kim became impressed at Min's work. Kim sends Tree-ear back via sea. Tree-ear goes to his master to inform him that Kim (the emissary) likes his work. Unfortunately, after giving the info, Tree-ear finds out Crane-man died and quickly becomes sad after Min. Impressed, Min makes Tree-ear his adopted son and his wife changes his name to Hyung-pil (his dead son was Hyung-gu and Tree-ear's new name shared a syllable). Tree-ear is finally taught how to make pottery.
| Preceded by A Year Down Yonder |
Newbery Medal recipient 2002 |
Succeeded by Crispin: The Cross of Lead |
