Search This Blog







2025 Cover Lovers Reading Challenge (hosted by Yours Truly)

2025 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona (2)
- Arkansas
- California (6)
- Colorado (3)
- Connecticut
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (1)
- Georgia (1)
- Hawaii (1)
- Idaho
- Illinois (1)
- Indiana (1)
- Iowa (3)
- Kansas
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana
- Maine (3)
- Maryland (1)
- Massachusetts (1)
- Michigan (2)
- Minnesota (2)
- Mississippi (1)
- Missouri
- Montana (1)
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico
- New York (7)
- North Carolina (3)
- North Dakota (1)
- Ohio (1)
- Oklahoma (2)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (1)
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina (1)
- South Dakota
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (1)
- Utah (1)
- Vermont (3)
- Virginia (2)
- Washington (3)
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin (1)
- Wyoming (1)
- Washington, D.C.* (1)
International:
- Australia (3)
- Canada (3)
- England (14)
- France (2)
- Italy (1)
- Japan (1)
- Norway (1)
- Puerto Rico (1)
- Scotland (1)


2025 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge



2025 Build Your Library Reading Challenge









Monday, January 12, 2015
Newbery Medal Winner Full of History and Heart
1:00 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
Tree-Ear, an orphan living in 12th Century Korea, has one desire: to create beautiful celadon pottery like the skilled artisans for which his village is known. He has little opportunity to do so, however, since his time is occupied by eking out a meager living for himself and his guardian. Crippled and elderly, Crane-man has always insisted they do so honestly, without stealing or begging. Tree-Ear may be poor, but he's a good boy who's enjoyed a relatively happy life. Even if his greatest desire has remained unfulfilled.
While spying on a local potter in the hopes of learning some of his secrets, Tree-Ear accidentally breaks some of the man's wares. Tree-Ear promises to work off the debt and more, if the artist will only take him on as an apprentice. Overjoyed by the prospect of finally learning to create beautiful pottery, Tree-Ear does not realize what he has gotten himself into. The cranky potter will not make the apprenticeship easy, especially when he receives a royal commission that will, ultimately, require every ounce of skill and courage young Tree-Ear possesses.
Filled with history and heart, A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park tells a unique, inspiring story about one boy's quest to live his dream. Winner of the 2002 Newbery Medal, this quiet tale is a testament to the power of hard work, determination, and bravely soldiering on against insurmountable odds. Even though it's not my absolute favorite Newbery winner, A Single Shard is absolutely worth the read. It's a simple, but affecting story that teaches some great lessons.
If you're interested in seeing real Korean potters at work, check out this video that I discovered via Linda Sue Park's website. It's pretty amazing!
3 comments:
Comments make me feel special, so go crazy! Just keep it clean and civil. Feel free to speak your mind (I always do), but be aware that I will delete any offensive comments.
P.S.: Don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away. I have to approve each one before it posts to prevent spam. It's annoying, but it works!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(Atom)


Reading
Rabbit Rabbit by Dori Hillestad Butler and Sunshine Bacon

Listening
The Morning House by Maureen Johnson


Followin' with Bloglovin'

-
C Is for Courting (Amish ABCs)2 hours ago
-
You're Safe Here by Leslie Stephens4 hours ago
-
-
-
Keeping the Countess by Lille Moore8 hours ago
-
-
Top 5 Tuesday ~ Times of Day11 hours ago
-
-
-
-
-
Top Ten Tuesday...13 hours ago
-
A Royal Family Found in Book Titles14 hours ago
-
-
TTT – Its An Honor-ific16 hours ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
Week in Review #283 days ago
-
-
Clean teen books for Summer2 weeks ago
-
Books read in June2 weeks ago
-
-
-
-
No Roundup this month2 months ago
-
-
Sunday Post #5682 months ago
-
-
February 2025 Reading Wrap Up4 months ago
-
One Big Happy Family by Susan Mallery4 months ago
-
-
-
I'm Still Reading - This Was My October7 months ago
-
Review: The Duke and I10 months ago
-
Girl Plus Books: On Hiatus11 months ago
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?1 year ago
-
6/25/23 Extra Ezra2 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?2 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
-

Grab my Button!


Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ► 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)
- ► 2016 (157)
- ▼ 2015 (188)
- ► 2014 (133)
- ► 2013 (183)
- ► 2012 (193)
- ► 2011 (232)
- ► 2010 (257)
- ► 2009 (211)
- ► 2008 (192)


2025 Goodreads Reading Challenge
2024 - Elementary/Middle Grade Nonfiction
2023 - Middle Grade Fiction
2022 - Middle Grade Fiction
2021 - Middle Grade Fiction

2020 - Middle Grade Fiction

This might be a good classroom read, but as for individual checkout --in my experience kids don't like this book. As often happens with the award winners...I read this when it came out and loved it. Tried to push it to some kids -- nope.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can't seeing this one flying off the shelves. It's a much quieter read than most books written for this age group. Too bad, though, because it's a great book and one I think kids would like if they just gave it a chance.
DeleteThis is one of those books I've had my eye on for years, and not gotten around to. I'm glad you reviewed it, and one of these days I will definitely find time to read it!
ReplyDelete