Product Description

Tree-ear is an orphan boy in a 12th-century Korean potters’ village. When he accidentally breaks a pot, he must work for the master to pay for the damage by setting off on a difficult and dangerous journey that will change his life forever.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5119 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-11
• Released on: 2003-02-11
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

From Publishers Weekly
British actor Malcolm initially seems an odd choice of narrator for Park's novel set in 12th-century Korea, but he proves to be a compelling performer on this adaptation of the book that was recently named winner of this year's Newbery Medal. Tree-ear, a 12-year-old orphan, spends most of his time rummaging in trash heaps for food for himself and his friend and protector, the crippled Crane-man. But Tree-ear longs for much more; he wants to become skilled like the potters of his village, Ch'ulp'o, famous for its prized celadon ceramic ware. Tree-ear begins his path by accident, watching master potter Min in secret. Before long, Min grudgingly takes Tree-ear on as an assistant, having the boy fetch wood and do other menial tasks. Eventually Min entrusts Tree-ear with a most important job: delivering two specially crafted vases to the palace in hopes of securing a royal commission for Min's fine pottery work. The vases meet with disaster on Tree-ear's journey, but he persists on his mission, with only a single shard to show the royal emissary. Though Malcolm's performance slows a bit when reading passages describing the routines of the potters and Tree-ear's travels to the palace, listeners will likely be hooked by Tree-ear's perseverance and fascinated by a look into this craftsmen's colony from Korean history. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8-Linda Sue Park's 2002 Newbery Award-winning story (Clarion, 2001) about Tree-ear, a 12th century Korean orphan who finds his future through his intuitive interest in the potter's trade, is nicely rendered by Graeme Malcolm. Tree-ear's early years have been spent in the care of the homeless but inventive Crane-man, who has taught him to find a meal among what other villagers have rejected as scrap and shelter beneath a bridge or in an old kimchee cellar, as the season dictates. Now about 12 years old, Tree-ear extends his social and labor habits to an elderly and idiosyncratic potter, first because Tree-ear must repay Min for a pot he damaged when he touched it without permission, and then as Min's helper, a job for which he is paid in food and the motherly affection of Min's wife. In a village renowned for its pottery, those in the trade eagerly anticipate a visit from the representative of the Korean court, each potter hoping that his designs will be selected for royal use. Tree-ear discovers a rival potter's invention of a new surface design technique that he knows Min could use to better effect than does the inventor. Eventually, the technique is revealed and Min is able to adapt it to his excellent work, sending Tree-ear on a long and dangerous journey to court with two sample pieces. By the time Tree-ear arrives, he has but a single shard to show the court's pottery expert. Malcolm's light British accent is clear and adds a sense of "another place, another time" to this tale. However, many of the issues transcend centuries and cultures: What is home? Can one own a creative idea? How much of an art object must be seen in order to judge its quality? This book will engage both individual readers and discussion groups; the audio version makes it accessible to a broader audience, while giving style and substance to those who have read the print version.
Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
This year's Newbery Medalist is also a winner on tape. Set in twelfth-century Korea, it's the story of orphaned Tree-ear, who lives under a bridge with Crane-man, but dreams of becoming a Master Potter, like the ill-tempered artist, Min, he so admires. British actor Graeme Malcome gives his reading admirable dignity, although it's surprising to hear lower-class Koreans with cockney accents. But accents are forgotten as the listener is drawn deep into Tree-ear's world, where clay pots can be easily smashed, and a homeless boy likewise. M.C. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

WORST BOOK I'VE EVER READ!!!
I was reading this for my summer reading log. It turned out to be really bad. Not only is it boring, but it drags on. Don't read this unless you are obsessed with pottery!

Simple and perfect.
What an absolutely captivating story! I am somewhat familiar with stories from Japan or China, but I guess I am just oblivious to contemporary child-aimed Korean-inspired literature. What a horrible elementary school teacher I am. Anywho, I first heard about this book back in college in a children's lit class... but never bothered to read it until my little sister found it. She read it and recommended it to me.

And thus I was captivated by its gorgeous simplicity that made a truly inspiring fable as well as a piece of historical fiction.

The story follows the adventures of Tree-Ear, a young orphan who becomes the servant/apprentice of a master potter. Tree-Ear yearns to learn pottery, but his broken-hearted master refuses to teach. When Master Min is summoned to send samples of his work to the royal court, it is Tree-Ear's task to make the delivery.

This is a beautiful, inspiring story that touches on love as well as art. It brought tears to my eyes.

Do not read this book!!
A Single Shard Book Review


In the book A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park, a young boy named Tree-ear lives with adopted father Crane-man, under a bridge. Later Tree-ear goes to work with a potter and has to travel a long distance. This book isn't really one of my favorites and I would not recommend it because it doesn't really have a climax or anything that is really interesting.
Since this book is in Korea where there is clay there has to be some potters. And since Tree-ear is an orphan and didn't have anywhere to go (besides the monks) he had to have a father, which turned out to be Crane-man. Also when Tree-ear broke Min's pot (a wonderful potter) he had to pay for it by working for him but then decided to keep on working for him. When people really respect each other, most of the time they would do something thoughtful, like Tree-ear did for Min's wife.
In the beginning of the book it was really boring and didn't really make any sense, but later it was kind of better. I think to improve this book the author could of used some humor through out the character and it would help people like it more. Also some of the characters were not really believable. Some of the were orphans that lived under a bridge with a crippled man with crutches. While I was reading this book I wasn't really interested on what was going to happen next. The reason why I was not interested was because there was no foreshadowing.
As a conclusion I sincerely don't think people should read this book. Some of my reasons are that it's really boring, no humor, wasn't really connected to the characters or the plot and it didn't have any interesting words.