Historical Fiction Review #2

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

2. PLOT SUMMARY
A SINGLE SHARD is about Tree-ear, an orphan in 12th Century Korea. He goes to work for a potter, Min, and learns about making pottery. As the story unfolds, Tree-ear sets off on a journey to deliver some vases Songdo. This is a story of his experiences, his journey, and how he comes to have a family.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
A SINGLE SHARD is the 2002 Newbery Medal winner. It is also a part of the Dell Yearling Series, which are designed “especially to entertain and enlighten young people.” This is exactly what this book does.

The author, Linda Sue Park establishes the setting of the book right up front: “A small village on the west coast of Korea, mid-to late twelfth century.” The time and place is recreated beautifully as the reader learns about Korean culture and customs, a little bit of the history of Korea, and the process of producing Celadon pottery. For example, we learn that a person bows their head and holds out their hands, palms up and together when accepting something. We also learn that the people wear tunics and the poor were allowed to glean the rice fields. The reader also learns some Korean words and phrases, such as a jiggeh (“an open-framed back pack made of branches”), kimchee (“pickled cabbage vivid with seasonings of red pepper, green onions, and garlic”), and Ajima (“a term of great affection reserved only for older kinswomen).

The reader meets most of the main characters in the first chapter, including the young protagonist Tree-ear, his friend Crane-man, and the Master potter Min. We learn of the characters personalities and see how they grow and change over time. The plot evolves naturally as Tree-ear experiences and learns new things: becoming Min’s apprentice, learning the art of pottery, and his journey to Songdo to see the Royal Emissary. For example, the reader learns about pottery and the process of creating celadon pottery that has the “radiance of jade, clarity of water.” The writing flows smoothly, with the author inserting historical information right into the storyline, such as the legend behind “Rock of the Falling Flowers.”

Common themes emerge, including the value of work, family, courage, and respect. Family is those who take care of you and Crane-man cared for Tree-ear. He bandaged his wounds, made shoes for him, and taught him lessons of life. Some of Crane-man’s words of wisdom include: “I think it a waste for either of us to spend too much time in sorrow over something we cannot change” and “The same wind that blows one door shut often blows another open.” The potter’s wife also cared for Tree-ear and became Ajima to him, feeding him food and giving him warm clothes. Finally, Min taught him about the process of pottery. Tree-ear learned how to cut wood for the kilns, cut clay from the shore, drain the clay, model, etc.

There are some reoccurring symbols in the book. One is a monkey, Crane’s pet name for Tree-ear. He calls him “monkey friend” and “stubborn monkey.” He tells the story of how the monks came to get him, and Tree-ear clung to Crane like a monkey and would not let go. Tree also molds a clay monkey for Crane so he won’t forget him while he’s on his journey. The monkey symbolizes the affection and love between the two friends. Another symbol is the plum tree. It is used to show the passage of time, when it bloomed and when its leaves turned gold. The plums are also a source of food for Crane-man and Tree-ear. Finally, the image of the plum trees and branches symbolized peace for Tree-ear. Tree-ear had a dream of making a prunus vase, which is “designed for one purpose-to display a single branch of flowering plum.” Looking at this gave him a feeling of peace, that nothing could go wrong in the world.

At the end of the last chapter, the author includes information about a prized Korean prunus vase called the “Thousand Cranes Vase.” Its maker is unknown, but it is implied that the book is a possible story of its creator. This book is highly authenticity. In the Author’s Note, Park explains about Korea and its history, that there were very few homeless people because families took care of each other or the monks at the temples took the poor in. She also discusses the Korean celadon potters of the Koryo era (A.D. 918-1392). Park points out that every piece of pottery mentioned in the book actually exists. The reader also learns that the law requiring “potters’ sons to follow the trade of the fathers” was not actually instituted until 1543, but in Tree-ear’s time, it was definitely a custom. Finally, the reader learns about some of the resources used by the author, including Simon Winchester’s book KOREA: A WALK THROUGH THE LAND OF MIRACLES.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
Horn Book Guide
“Park's story is alive with fascinating information about life and art in ancient Korea.”

Kirkus Reviews, Starred
“Intrigues, danger, and the same strong focus on doing what is right turn a simple story into a compelling read. . . . A timeless jewel.”

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 is a great book to share when learning about different cultures, since it is set in Korea.

*Activities with this book:
This book contains valuable information for further class discussions. “What’s So Special About Celadon” can be read to learn more about pottery and the special features of celadon stoneware.

Learn more about the author:
There is also “An Interview with Newbery Award Winner Linda Sue Park” is which the author discusses where she got the idea for the book, how long it took to write the book and the research she does for her books. Park also talks about her favorite books, becoming a writer, and what it was like to win the Newbery Award.

Read other books by Linda Sue Park:
SEESAW GIRL-Illustrated by Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng
THE KITE FIGHTERS
WHEN MY NAME WAS KEOKO

*Kids Reviews
Stefan's Review, September 26, 2006
“I thought this book was one of the best books I have ever read, even though the beginning is very slow, the journey becomes the most exiting and suspenseful part of the book. I recommend this book to people who like books that are a little suspenseful and sad.”

Happy Reading!
Lonnie