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Title: A Single Shard by LINDA SUE PARK, GRAEME MALCOLM ISBN: 0-8072-0701-2 Publisher: Listening Library (Audio) Pub. Date: 22 January, 2002 Format: Audio Cassette Volumes: 3 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.51 (55 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: An Orphan Boy
Comment: A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park is a tale of overcoming the limitations set by one's society through hard work and perseverance. The protagonist, a young orphan boy named Tree-ear is our guide through 12th century Korean life. The underside of a bridge serves as a home for Tree-ear and his older friend Crane-man in the small town of Ch'ul'po. Tree-ear and Crane-man spend much of their days scavenging for food in garbage heaps and on occasion finding fish. Aside from this being the young boy that Tree-ear is, he gets curious and ends up spying on the master potter min. When Tree-ear's curiosity gets the best of him, he waits until Min is gone and begins to handle the beautiful Celadon Pottery that Min has crafted. In an instant it slips from Tree-ears hands and breaks. This begins Tree-ear's journey as a helper to the potter Min, thus to pay off his debt of the broken pottery. The story unravels quickly as Tree-ear wants so badly to make a pot of his very own; however Min would never let a young orphan boy learn his very sacred trade. As the reader follows Tree-ear we too, sit and hope that he will be able to over come his predestined fate as an orphan boy.
Ms. Park takes the reader on an emotional journey with Tree-ear as we see him make sacrifices for his dear friend Crane-man and work even when it seemed like Min was never happy with him. Tree-ear's feelings and struggles come to life as he experiences despair in not pleasing the potter Min. Tree-ear's success are also touching; however you will have to read the book to find out how.
Ms. Park does an exceptional job of demonstrating the roles of various people in a typical Korea society. The master potter is a perfectionist who finds it indecent to apprentice anyone but a "real" son. Potter Min's wife is the traditional woman of the house who takes care of the family and at times even takes care of Tree-ear behind Min's back. Having all these roles clearly defined helps the reader to see how Tree-ear really is defying what the town has written as his fate.
I would recommend this book to all children ages 8 and above. It really gives children a sense of societal roles, hard work, family traditions, and other cultures.
Rating: 5
Summary: Short and Sweet.
Comment: A SINGLE SHARD tells about a young orphan boy named Tree-ear who lives under a bridge with an old man called Crane-man in late 12th century Korea. Tree-ear was brought to Crane-man by the monks at the temple several years ago. Perhaps they felt that the child would help the crippled man in his old age. Whatever the case, the two have lived together for ten years, living off of scraps from rubbish piles and fallen rice. One of Tree-ear's favorite activities is to secretly watch the master potter, Min, create works of art. Eventually, Tree-ear becomes Min's apprentice and sets forth on a journey that changes their lives forever.
A SINGLE SHARD is a wonderful book. It is full of messages about honestly, heroism, and honor. It also illustrates the difficulties an artist has in being an artist and remaining true to the creativity within. Because it takes place in a different country (Korea) and at a different time (1300's), the novel is a great book to read as part of an interdisciplinary unit or just to learn some interesting information about the history of Korea. The story is told in a very easy-to-read style, yet the simplest words are often filled with depth. This is a wonderful book and won the 2002 Newbery Medal. After reading it, it's not difficult to see why.
Rating: 3
Summary: Looking for a satisfying read?
Comment: Looking for a satisfying read?
A Single Shard is a well-written book by Linda Sue Park. The book relates to many middle school students like myself, and has meaningful incidents.
This book had many dry scenes as well as some exciting ones. My most favorite scene (the one I think is the most enthralling) was when Tree Ear (the main character) is trying to deliver pots when he comes upon two robbers. The robbers search him for his money but he has none so they smash his pots instead. Tree Ear is devastated because he has just earned his master's trust. It is very exciting because it seems that the characters are more interested in saving the objects than themselves. I would say this is the most exciting part of the book.
The book showed me a lot of things. It showed me to stick with my creativity. Tree Ear tried to be like his master when he was fine with the way he did things. It also showed me that hard work pays off. That can relate to any kid and school. Hard work equals good grades. This book has some situations that you can relate to.
I thought this book was well written yet rather dry and boring. The story was also a little too slow for me. The book is a good read if you like to read slower moving books.
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Title: A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck ISBN: 0142300705 Publisher: Puffin Books Pub. Date: 01 December, 2002 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: Crispin : The Cross of Lead (Newbery Medal Book) by Avi ISBN: 0786808284 Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children Pub. Date: 03 June, 2002 List Price(USD): $15.99 |
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Title: Bud, Not Buddy (Newbery Medal Winner, 2000) by Christopher Paul Curtis ISBN: 0440413281 Publisher: Yearling Pub. Date: 08 January, 2002 |
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Title: Out of the Dust (Apple Signature Edition) by Karen Hesse ISBN: 0590371258 Publisher: Scholastic Pub. Date: 01 January, 1999 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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Title: A Long Way from Chicago: A Novel in Stories by Richard Peck ISBN: 0141303522 Publisher: Puffin Books Pub. Date: 01 October, 2000 List Price(USD): $5.99 |
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