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katie_chandler's review against another edition
4.0
There were a lot of excellent messages for kids about work ethic, perseverance, integrity. A view of a different culture and some history to boot. The plot climax was a challenge for me, good thing it’s written for kids and kept short!
sami_bassett's review against another edition
5.0
I'm late to the party but... What a breath of fresh air! A simple and beautiful story.
rachelbookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
I love the way that the author infuses touches of history into the work, building a story around it. This is a love letter to the work of pottery, something I deeply love, as well as childhood, resilience, and community. I really loved it. What a great story and characters!
kmcneil's review against another edition
4.0
Newbery Medal Winner in 2002.
A really terrific read about a young orphaned boy name Tree-ear who, through persistence and hard work, becomes an apprentice to a master potter in Ch'ulp'o, Korea. This is a touching coming of age story set in 12th century Korea. From the beginning, readers root for Tree-ear and for his success despite many obstacles to overcome. As the review from SLJ says, this is a story about an "unfamiliar time and place." While that should not at all be a deterrent, I think it is what makes this a more difficult read than some other intermediate fiction. Would recommend to upper elementary students and higher.
Reading level: 6.6
Interest level: 5.8
From School Library Journal:
Gr 5-8-In this tale of courage and devotion, a single shard from a celadon vase changes the life of a young boy and his master. In 12th-century Korea, the village of Ch'ulp'o is famous for its pottery. The orphan Tree-ear spends his days foraging for food for himself and Crane-man, a lame straw weaver who has cared for him for many years. Because of his wanderings, Tree-ear is familiar with all of the potters in the village, but he is especially drawn to Min. When he drops a piece Min has made, Tree-ear begins to work for him to pay off his debt, but stays on after the debt is paid because he longs to learn to create beautiful pots himself. Sent to the royal court to show the king's emissary some new pottery, Tree-ear makes a long journey filled with disaster and learns what it means to have true courage. This quiet story is rich in the details of life in Korea during this period. In addition it gives a full picture of the painstaking process needed to produce celadon pottery. However, what truly stands out are the characters: the grumpy perfectionist, Min; his kind wife; wise Crane-man; and most of all, Tree-ear, whose determination and lively intelligence result in good fortune. Like Park's Seesaw Girl (1999) and The Kite Fighters (2000, both Clarion), this book not only gives readers insight into an unfamiliar time and place, but it is also a great story.-Barbara Scotto, Michael Driscoll School, Brookline, MA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
A really terrific read about a young orphaned boy name Tree-ear who, through persistence and hard work, becomes an apprentice to a master potter in Ch'ulp'o, Korea. This is a touching coming of age story set in 12th century Korea. From the beginning, readers root for Tree-ear and for his success despite many obstacles to overcome. As the review from SLJ says, this is a story about an "unfamiliar time and place." While that should not at all be a deterrent, I think it is what makes this a more difficult read than some other intermediate fiction. Would recommend to upper elementary students and higher.
Reading level: 6.6
Interest level: 5.8
From School Library Journal:
Gr 5-8-In this tale of courage and devotion, a single shard from a celadon vase changes the life of a young boy and his master. In 12th-century Korea, the village of Ch'ulp'o is famous for its pottery. The orphan Tree-ear spends his days foraging for food for himself and Crane-man, a lame straw weaver who has cared for him for many years. Because of his wanderings, Tree-ear is familiar with all of the potters in the village, but he is especially drawn to Min. When he drops a piece Min has made, Tree-ear begins to work for him to pay off his debt, but stays on after the debt is paid because he longs to learn to create beautiful pots himself. Sent to the royal court to show the king's emissary some new pottery, Tree-ear makes a long journey filled with disaster and learns what it means to have true courage. This quiet story is rich in the details of life in Korea during this period. In addition it gives a full picture of the painstaking process needed to produce celadon pottery. However, what truly stands out are the characters: the grumpy perfectionist, Min; his kind wife; wise Crane-man; and most of all, Tree-ear, whose determination and lively intelligence result in good fortune. Like Park's Seesaw Girl (1999) and The Kite Fighters (2000, both Clarion), this book not only gives readers insight into an unfamiliar time and place, but it is also a great story.-Barbara Scotto, Michael Driscoll School, Brookline, MA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.
raekoch's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
This is the second time I’ve read this book (listened this time) it’s so good and touching. I sob at the end every time.
tamfilley's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful historical fiction set in 12th century Korea. This was a beautifully written book with many great lessons. It was uplifting and wholesome. Tree-ear is a young orphan boy who lives under a bridge with an elderly crippled man who has cared for him since he was a child. He wants nothing more than to watch master potter Min at work, and he dreams of making a pot of his own someday. When Min takes Tree-ear on as his helper, Tree-ear is elated–until he finds obstacles in his path: the backbreaking labor of digging and hauling clay, Min’s irascible temper, and his own ignorance. But Tree-ear is determined to prove himself–even if it means taking a long, solitary journey on foot to present Min’s work in the hope of a royal commission . . .
sarahbowling6608's review against another edition
4.0
I want to go find some celadon pottery to look at now! Pictures online are not cutting it!
I love how this book wove aspects of pottery making into the story without becoming boring. A good, quick read.
CC: Buddhism, main character is an orphan, homelessness
I love how this book wove aspects of pottery making into the story without becoming boring. A good, quick read.
CC: Buddhism, main character is an orphan, homelessness