An advantage of reading children’s books in middle age:
All the books published during the time you were “too old for kids’ books” are now new-to-you! Such is the case, for me, with today’s book recommendation:
A Single Shard, by Linda Sue Park
Published in 2001, this Newbery Medal winner came out when I was pushing middle age, but mostly reading other genres. I missed out on this stellar book.
Thankfully, I have fellow readers who turn me on to good books like this so I can get in on the “better-late-than-never” fun!
Summary:
Tree-ear, a thirteen-year-old orphan in medieval Korea, lives under a bridge in a potters’ village, and longs to learn how to throw the delicate celadon ceramics himself.
First of all, I find it so cool that someone knows enough about medieval Korea to be fascinated, do the research, and write such an engaging story set in that time. As I’ve said about other historical fiction, for me it’s one of the most engaging ways to learn about historical times. When there is a character I care about, I will enter fully into whatever world they inhabit—including medieval Korea!
Tree-ear is a memorable character.
Like so many children’s book protagonists, he’s an orphan. He lives in abject poverty, but doesn’t see it that way—except for hating the gnawing hunger he often lives with, he seems happy. He’s ambitious—by that I mean he has a dream outside of what is easily attainable for him—and he goes for it.
His relationship with Crane-man , the one-legged loner who has looked after Tree-ear since he was abandoned, is very dear.
I loved the descriptions of the ceramic pieces
created by Tree-ear’s mentor, Min. When my older brother was a sophomore in college, I visited him for a week. His roommate was a hugely talented ceramics artist—and he made boxes much like those described in this book.
It’s those personal associations that endear books to our hearts most deeply, don’t you think?
Beautifully written, wonderful characters, a finely rendered vision of the time and place, and the perfect plot makes this book well deserving of its Newbery Medal.
Hop on down to your library and check A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park out if you, like I, had missed it!
Besides all your good words, this is a fine take-turns, read-aloud (while a listener works on a puzzle). Thanks for adding this one to your recommended list. Happy Thanksgiving, Bob
Happy Thanksgiving to you, too—and thank YOU for telling me of this book!
This book is indeed worth the read. Glad to see it in your post.
So glad to have read it! 🙂