A Single Shard

Significance
The author’s theme in this book is pottery, and that a 13 year old orphan boy can succeed at his dreams. I chose this piece because it was a Newbery Medal winner and it sounded interesting. This story is significant to anyone because it tells the reader not to give up, and to always pursue your dream. A real world situation using the concept of losing your family, it doesn’t mean that you can’t find your dream.

Perspective
The author of this book is Linda Sue Park. This story took place in the west coast of Korea in the mid to late 12th century.In this century Korea was ruled by an emperor who sent his emissaries to villages to find the finest pottery The perspective the reader learns is that an orphan could not become a potter unless his family had a history of pottery making. To prove himself, Tree-ear (the main character) had to live in his master’s shadow even though he taught himself to make fine pottery.

Evidence
The village that Tree-ear lives in has a poor part where he lives with his guardian, who is a cripple and also very poor. This information helps to set the scene for the story. Historically the information presented in this story regarding orphans is factual because the author did research on the time period. During this time period orphans wore often neglected and unable to be a part of society.

Connection
Tree-ear and his guardian have a connection to today’s homeless people because in the story Tree-ear lives under a bridge. Also, he has to find work just to get food and water to survive. It reminded me of teen runaways because they had been abandoned and had to make a living for themselves. So in this way the 12th century Korea and the 21st century America are alike. This book will inspire me to read more historical fiction.

Supposition
If Linda Sue Park changed the time period to the 21st century it would be a different because Tree-ear would be allowed to become adopted. If Tree-ear had not met with a disaster on the way to a different town, then he would have had a more successful meeting at the end of his journey. Also, if this took place in today’s society Tree-ear would have not gone on his trip because of Fed Ex. Furthermore, in today’s Korean society there is a dictator, not an emperor.

All in all, this is a story that everyone should read.