A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park:
Book Review

Click to buy A Single Shard A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

This book is about a boy named Tree-ear who is an apprentice to a potter named Min. Tree-ear is excited to be working for the great potter, but he wants to learn to make a pot. Min won't teach him because it's the custom for potters to teach their sons pottery and Min's son died awhile ago. So, Min is really sad and grumpy.

I liked this book because at the beginning Min doesn't really like Tree-ear, but they become friends in the end. It was really interesting.

Reviewed by 12 year-old girl reviewer

(Another reviewer)
Tree-Ear loves watching the potter Min's wheel spin round and round. Its one of his favorite pastimes. He has always imagined making a pot of his own but has never had the chance. One day while the potter is not home Tree-Ear sneaks into the workshop and starts picking up random pieces of pottery. While he is looking at a normal looking box Min storms into the workshop. Surprised at his strange visitor Min starts yelling. The startled Tree-Ear drops the box, embarrassed. Not having any way to pay for the shattered box, he volunteers to work for Min, hoping at the same moment that Min will teach him how to make a pot of his own. Instead of making pots he is set to the work of chopping fire wood or other hard tasks. One day the kings advisor comes to inspect the potters of the village, hoping to find one who is worthy of making pots for the king. Everyone is 99% sure Min will be able to because of his patience and perfected touch. But everyone soon finds out that another potter has thought of a new idea and is the only one using it. The Advisor decides to pick the other potter, but tells Min that if he can do a better job than the other potter he can make pots for the king instead. After many months Min finishes two pots that are worthy of the king and decides that Tree-Ear should take the long journey to the palace and deliver the pots to the advisor. Can Tree-Ear make the long journey to the palace while keeping the pots safe?

Reviewed by 11 year-old girl reviewer