Reviews

A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

drkappitan's review

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

 Although focused on the young protagonist, this is a story for all ages, told with enough skill to bring me to tears. 

hickorynut's review against another edition

informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

A beautifully written tale about an orphan boy named Tree-ear who becomes apprentice to a master ceramist. It was a reflection on patience and the idea that skill can only grow with time and commitment. There were strong elements of found family and how to respect the variety of people in society. The plot was fairly predictable and does not have many surprises or twists. It wrapped up exactly how I expected it would.

My biggest wish for this was that it had been able to include some beautiful imagery and illustrations. The pottery is described in such intricate ways and it would have been lovely to see a visual representation.

ashar_allaire's review against another edition

hopeful reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

jeanstromberg's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

sunset8305's review against another edition

3.0

While an interesting story set in a unique time period (years 900 - 1300-ish, I believe), I had a hard time paying attention throughout the overall story. Perhaps just not my type of read, but I do think it's a worthwhile book for folks to consider reading, especially given how much one can learn about this time period... I don't know about you, but I certainly don't "typically" pick up books about Korean culture in the years 900 -1300ish!

bebidocrimes's review against another edition

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

I feel like a lot of people have an assigned story from a literature textbook that just sticks with them for one reason or another. This is mine. I couldn't tell you which teacher assigned this, but I always remembered the color of the pottery, the descriptions of the silt, the first time I saw the word chrysanthemum written in text. It's still just as peaceful of a read to me as it was then.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail

ogold's review against another edition

4.0

The first time I read this, I was a little distracted, and it took me a while to get into the story line. Now that I have read it a few times, however, I keep latching onto amazing one-liners from Crane-man that could be a book in themselves! I love the little nuggets of wisdom tucked throughout this book, and I appreciate that the main character Tree-ear is someone I actually want to emulate.

clairejacobson's review against another edition

hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

laurawimmer's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

anjleo's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25