A Single Shard: From Orphan to Family

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The book I chose is A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park, who was born in Urbana, Illinois on March 25, 1960 and was the daughter of Korean immigrants. At four years old, she had a passion for reading and writing poems and stories. Her novel, A Single Shard, was published in 2001 and received the Newberry Medal for excellence in children's literature in 2002. I selected this book for its captivating storyline and adventurous elements. It follows a young boy named Tree-ear, who becomes an orphan after losing his parents to a fever.

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Tree-ear lives under a bridge in twelfth-century Korea with his caretaker Crane-man. He is intrigued by pottery and frequently observes Master Min crafting celadon pottery in the village. One day, while searching for Master Min at his home, Tree-ear accidentally breaks one of his pots.

Tree-ear wants to apprentice under Min in pottery to repay his debt. Although Min is the village's best potter, he is elderly, irritable, and never gives Tree-ear any praise.

Once Tree-ear settles his debt, Min offers him food to stay and work with him further. However, Min still does not acknowledge Tree-ear's efforts or teach him pottery skills. The emperor's aide shows up in the village, revealing the emperor's quest for a new project.

Tree-ear observes Kang, a potter, developing a new technique with inlaid white clay designs. Despite wanting Min’s pottery to be recognized, Tree-ear keeps Kang's technique a secret from Min as he feels it would be unfair to Kang. When the emperor’s assistant visits the village, he is torn between Kang's innovative work and Min's distinctive designs.

Unable to make a decision, the assistant promises to return later for a final choice.

After the assistant's visit, Tree-ear watches Min working tirelessly to create his finest pottery. Min eventually approaches Tree-ear to inquire about Kang's work. Tree-ear shares Kang's inlay technique with Min, believing it is no longer a secret since others have already seen it. Motivated by this new knowledge, Min puts in extra effort to incorporate inlay designs into his pottery. However, he becomes frustrated with his results and ultimately smashes all the pieces he created, feeling they do not meet his standards. Upon the assistant's return, Kang is awarded the commission. Additionally, the assistant informs Min during a visit to his home that Kang's commission will only last for one year.

Min is told that if he can replicate a design and bring it to Songdo, he still has a chance for the commission. Despite feeling honored, Min deems himself as too old to make the journey. Tree-ear overhears this conversation and approaches Min's wife, offering to go in his place. She is touched by his gesture and agrees to speak to Min on his behalf, on the condition that Tree-ear returns safely and addresses her as Ajima, like an aunt. This gesture holds significance for Tree-ear, as he has no family of his own.

He agrees, and goes home to tell Crane-man about the journey he is about to make. The next day, Tree-ear asks Min if he could teach him how to make a pot, he told him he would travel to Songdo for him. Min answers that he can’t teach him because the craft is passed from father to son, and Tree-ear isn’t his son. He also tells him that he had a son who died. Tree-ear was upset by Min’s answer. Later, Crane-man explained the Korean traditions of pottery to Tree-ear. Even though Tree-ear was disappointed he still was going to make the trip to Songdo, he knew both Min and Crane-man were counting on him.

Ajima and Crane-man helped Tree-ear carefully pack Min’s pottery pieces in straw. Before leaving, Tree-ear gave Crane-man a gift: a clay monkey he had been molding for months. He said it was a reminder for Crane-man to visit Min daily, but it was really a symbol of their connection. Crane-man tied the monkey to his belt and expressed gratitude for wearing Tree-ear’s pottery. He also advised Tree-ear to be cautious of people, but to seek help when needed. With this advice, Tree-ear set off on foot for his journey.

After several days of walking, Tree-ear is attacked by thieves who throw the pots off a cliff. Despite feeling devastated, he realizes that he didn't hear the second vase break. He climbs down, only to find that it broke into large pieces. Determined, he picks up a shard and decides to take it to the emperor's palace. Upon arrival, a guard insists on presenting the shard, but Tree-ear insists that he should be the one to do so. Eventually, he is allowed to show the shard to the emperor and recount what happened during his journey.

After receiving the commission, Tree-ear returns home to find Ajima hugging him before announcing sad news that Crane-man passed away while he was away, but still holding a clay monkey. Tree-ear then informs Min about the commission and prepares to leave, only for Min to surprise him with a potter's wheel. Both Ajima and Min invite Tree-ear to stay with them and start calling him "Hyung-pil".

Min's late son was named "Hyung-gu", and the name Hyung-pil holds a syllable signifying an honor given to a sibling. Tree-ear is no longer an orphan, which illustrates how sorrow can transform into joy. I found this theme particularly compelling in the book. For instance, at the conclusion of the story, Tree-ear's adoption after years of being an orphan demonstrates this idea. His realization that he couldn't master pottery was disappointing to me. The book effectively conveys the message that assisting others can have a profound impact on someone's life.