A Single Shard

Title:               A Single Shard
Category:       Juvenile
Grade:            5-10
Author:          Linda Sue Park
Illustrator:      N/A
Publisher:       Clarion
Date:               2001
Pages:             152

Summary:     

Orphaned Tree-ear longs to learn the fine Korean art of celadon pottery.  Though he is permitted to haul wood and clay for a master potter, Tree-ear is dismayed to learn that the craft itself is passed strictly from father to son.  All seems lost until a request from the royal palace sends Tree-ear on a journey which may bring him not only the craft he desires, but the family he never had. 

Review:

Both characters and the art of the pottery were finely detailed and realistic, and thorough research into Koryo celedon is evident.  Though it started off a touch slow, I liked this story immensely when I had not expected to.  I was sympathetic to Tree-ear and fascinated with the details of the pottery craft.