Education Extra BookPicks.

Byline: The Register-Guard

"A Single Shard," by Linda Sue Park; Clarion Books, 2001

Age group: 10 to 14

Life is difficult in the village of Ch'ulp'o in 12th-century Korea. The only home that 13-year-old orphan Tree Ear has ever known is under the bridge outside of this potters' village. His only family is his ancient guardian, Crane-man. Together they survive on the discards they find by foraging the fields and trash heaps. This doesn't keep Tree Ear from dreaming of the time when he, too, will join the master potters he secretly watches.

He is particularly drawn to the work of Min, the most brilliant of the creators of the delicate, gray-green celadon ware the village is known for. When Tree Ear accidently breaks a piece of Min's work, he offers to work for the potter until he has paid for the damage. The work is very difficult, especially when Tree Ear learns that the potter craft can only be handed down from father to son. Min's demanding and dour nature is balanced by the kindness and generosity of his wife, and soon a special bond develops between the two of them.

As a reward for his dedication to the potter, Tree Ear is given the task of transporting a very special piece to the royal emissary. He is attacked along the way and the piece is destroyed, but Tree Ear bravely rescues a single shard, which he carries on to the palace. The perfection of this single piece is enough to win a commission for Min. But the greater reward goes to Tree Ear, who finds his life changed forever.

There is much to be learned about medieval Korea in this book, as well as about the art that inspired the story. However, the lessons about the value of perfection, the rewards of determination and the meaning of family transcend the time and place of this 2002 Newbery Award-winning novel.

- By Linda Ague, librarian, Cal Young Middle School, Eugene.