A SINGLE SHARD by Linda Sue Park

Park, Linda Sue. A Single Shard. New York:  Clarion Books. 2001.  ISBN 0395978270.

Audio Book:

Park, Linda Sue. A Single Shard. Performed by Graeme Malcolm. New York:  Listening Library.  2002.  ISBN 0807216070.

Tree-ear, Crane-man, and Min take center stage in this story set in the 12^th century in the small coastal town of Ch’ulp’o, Korea.  Tree-ear, a young orphan boy is cared for by a disabled and disadvantaged Crane-man who provides sound fatherly guidance and labors of love for Tree-ear.  Tree-ear is fascinated by the ceramic trade in his town and watches the great artist-potter, Min, in shadow whenever possible.  Accidentally damaging one of Min’s pieces results in an opportunity for Tree-ear to come out of the shadows to work for Min to pay off the debt of the damaged piece.  After the debt is paid, Tree-ear continues to work for Min for the simple wage of a daily meal.

As Tree-ear's care-giver, Crane-man provides Tree-ear with a strong moral compass, and Tree-ear is gifted with a tender heart and a tender conscience.  Though at times he seems too good to be true, it is his ability to maintain a pure heart in the face of hardship and disappointment that I find so endearing. I found myself really caring about Tree-ear.  Min proves to be a hard and cold task-master, but Tree-ear’s work ethic remains undaunted, content with hope that someday he will earn Min’s trust and be allowed to actually create his own pots and vases.  The sacrifices that Tree-ear makes for Min yields equal measures of heartbreak and immeasurable joy.  

Linda Sue Park was awarded the 2002 Newbery Medal, and an honorable mention from the Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature for this historical fiction and multicultural novel targeted at grades seven-twelve.  Park is an Asian-American of Korean descent.  Her research into her own Korean heritage is evident in her rich setting descriptions and character development.  From the very beginning of the story we know we are not in Kansas anymore by the names of the characters and the description of the backpack Tree-ear bears called a jiggeh made of branches and woven straw.  The jiggeh bag was filled with rice, which Crane-man calls “a fortune.”   Another cultural marker and pivotal to the story is the creation of celadon pottery which has been famous in Korea, Japan and China for centuries.

Park weaves authentic and historically accurate information throughout her story and explains her choices and research in the “Author’s Note” at the back of the book.  One such note explains the omission of the mention of Seoul, Korea because it was not established until 1392 which is more than 200 years after this story takes place.  She also mentions that every piece of pottery she details in the story is based on pieces that exist today in museums or private collections.

Though one could argue that Tree-ear fits the subservient Asian stereotype because of his station and status as a destitute orphan, his inner strength and moral character make him heroic.  Additionally,  Park balances good and evil between Tree-ear and Min without making Tree-ear saintly or Min a villain. 

   

A Single Shard is an excellent choice for inclusion in a middle school and high school reading list in association with world history or multicultural collections.  Its appeal to both genders make it a good choice for book clubs.  Kirkus reviews names it “a timeless jewel” which I am proud to have ornamenting my own personal book shelf.