Book Review: A SINGLE SHARD
*NOTE: This blog was created as part of a class at TWU.

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Park, Linda Sue. 2001. A SINGLE SHARD. New York, NY: Dell Yearling. ISBN 0440418518

2. PLOT SUMMARY: Set in 12th century Korea, the Newbery Award winning novel A SINGLE SHARD tells the tale of 12-year-old orphan Tree-ear, who lives under a bridge with the wise but crippled old Crane-man. Longing to become a potter himself, Tree-ear begins to work for a master celadon maker, Min, and through adventures not only garners Min a royal commission, but gains courage, a home, and a future as an artist.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS:
As historical fiction goes, A SINGLE SHARD has all the elements to envelope readers in another time and buoy them through the events in young Tree-ear's life, while glimpsing accurate views of another place and time. The setting, 12th century Korea, is integral to the plot, the characters are vividly drawn and believable, and the plot and theme are realistic to the time period and yet touch upon issues relevant today.

The setting in this bittersweet novel of hope and courage influences every aspect of the story, yet is integrated into the story subtly. From the very first lines, when Tree-ear's mentor, Crane-man, humorously twists the traditional greeting of "Have you eaten well? ("Shik Sa Ha Syeoss Ship Nee Ka?") to "Have you hungered well?" Linda Sue Park breathes life into the setting through the character's speech, their conduct towards one another, details of everyday events, and descriptions of the places in the novel. The young protagonist is an orphan, and as such, on the lowest level village society. After being apprenticed by a local master potter, Tree-ear is fed by the potter's wife, and treats her with such respect that he rarely speaks and does not dare to look at her but keeps his head bowed. When the wife gives him winter clothes, Tree-ear expresses his thanks by saying, "Deepest gratitude to the honorable potter's wife." Throughout the book, this level of respect and sense of place in society permeates the characters' dialogue and actions, sustaining the historical setting. Everyday details further strengthen the sense of time and place. Tree-ear sees a man on the road carrying a jiggeh, which is then briefly described as "an open-framed backpack made of branches," revealing the simplicity and ingenuity of the times, and later watches the potter Min make a prunus vase, introducing the reader to the Korean art of flower arranging and artistic esthetic: "It would be a prunus vase - the most elegant of all the shapes. Tall and beautifully proportioned, rising from its base to flare gracefully and the round to the mouth, a prunus vase was designed for one purpose - to display a single branch of flowering plum." All the descriptions of the steps involved in making the village's famous celadon ware are fascinatingly detailed and accurate, from the digging of the clay, to the mixing of the slip, and the firing process. Finally, the physical details of the village, and the towns, mountains, and valleys Tree-ear passes through on his way to the capital, Songdo, are captivatingly described with the innocence and wonder of a 13-year-old. The marketplace in the town of Puyo is especially vibrant, with each stall holding a wonder of items for every taste and desire. "The onggi seller's stall displayed every size of vessel," writes Park, "from tiny sauce dishes to kimchee jars big enough for a man to stand hidden within."

Park spares no descriptive talent on the characters, either. Crane-man's spirit of life and sense of humor shines through in spite of his deformity, Min's tender heart is revealed beneath his exacting nature and gruff exterior, and Tree-ear's transformation from child with a sliver of hope, to young man with confidence and a vision for his future unfurls before the reader's eyes. Near the end of the story, Tree-ear has his defining moment after being set upon by robbers and having his precious cargo, two of Min's pots, smashed on a cliff below him. The author writes, "Tree-ear rolled onto his side and vomited. He retched again and again, until his stomach felt as empty as his spirit...Failure. The most dishonorable failure. He had been unable to keep the vases safe." Yet Tree-ear does not give up, and "suddenly, a last flicker of hope flared within him. The second vase - he had not heard the crash. Perhaps it had fallen into the water, perhaps it was still unbroken." Although he finds only a single shard, a single sliver of hope, Tree-ear musters the courage to continue his journey and present just that piece to the king's emissary. Ultimately, Tree-ear is successful and although his return is bittersweet due to Crane-man's death, he becomes part of Min's family and a true potter's apprentice.

The plot and theme in A SINGLE SHARD is appropriate for 12th century Korea, revolving around questions of honesty, respect, and courage, and yet are relevant today. First, Tree-ear's struggle to find and define himself, to figure out where he belongs, is one that adolescents make every day. Second, although very respectful, Tree-ear often feels shame and resentment when he feels that he has been treated unjustly, although he realizes later that learning things the hard way is often the best way. And finally, he learns that "leaping into death is not the only way to show courage," by persevering and having the courage to go into the palace with only a single shard to show the king's emissary. Students today often view courage as something from the realm of video games and graphic novels, and the wisdom of Crane-man could help them to understand that courage isn't always visible, but comes from inside and is drawn upon everyday by almost everyone.

Throughout A SINGLE SHARD, Linda Sue Park inlays the stories and maxims of Crane-man, creating a well of wisdom from which Tree-ear dips to nourish and strengthen himself on his long journey. These stories, like the descriptions of pottery-making are never intrusive, and lend a uniqueness and subtlety to the novel which would enchant most readers, and pique the curiosity of many about the ancient culture of Korea.

In an author's note Park explains the historical basis for the characters and events, telling where vases such as the ones described in the novel can be found. (I almost booked a flight to Seoul!) She also describes the changes in Korea's history since the 12th century, and that fact that several locations in the book remain, but under different names. My edition of the novel also included an afterword, "What's So Special About Celadon" and an interview with the author.

4. REVIEW EXCERPTS:
From Publisher's Weekly: "Park (Seesaw Girl) molds a moving tribute to perseverance and creativity in this finely etched novel set in mid- to late 12th-century Korea...Readers will not soon forget these characters or their sacrifices. Ages 10-14."

From Booklist: "This quiet, but involving, story draws readers into a very different time and place. Though the society has its own conventions, the hearts and minds and stomachs of the characters are not so far removed from those of people today. Readers will feel the hunger and cold that Tree-ear experiences, as well as his shame, fear, gratitude, and love. A well-crafted novel with an unusual setting."

5. CONNECTIONS
* This novel would be an excellent read for 6th grade in Texas, to complement the World History focus of 6th grade social studies. After reading the book, local potters could be invited to the school to give a demonstration and allow students to try their hands at throwing a pot, or student could take a field trip to a museum to view celadon pottery up close and in person.
* Chapter 11, where Tree-ear is robbed and the vases are smashed, and Chapter 12, where he meets with the royal emissary would be good sections for students to adapt into a Reader's Theater script and act out.
* Read THE YEAR OF IMPOSSIBLE GOODBYES by Sook Nyul Choi (ISBN 0440407591) which takes place in war-time Korea and details the harrowing trek a young girl and her family must make to escape the Communists in the aftermath of the war. Comparing the two protagonists would be a great springboard to a discussion of courage and perseverance, allowing the students' to connect to their own lives, while deepening their understanding of Korean history. It might also be interesting to create maps of the journeys each character takes and see where they might intersect.