Hello, I'm Richard Nicholas Nimz, prospector of the written word. Now it's time for the other end of the Newberys. As I said last time, the Newberys are like the Oscars; once well respected awards of excellence, but now ridiculed as being out-of-touch with the rest of the world. Although awards always have differences of opinions, the Newberys had a heyday in the nineties with books like Holes and Maniac Magee, both of which I read in elementary school. Case in point, 2002 award winner A Single Shard.
Citation: Park, L. S. (2001). A single shard. New York: Clarion Books.
Plot: A long time ago, in ancient Korea, there was an orphan named Tree-Ear who lived under a bridge with an old man. One day, he accidentally damages a piece of pottery and proposes to work for the potter in order to pay him back. Thus, over the months, Tree-Ear learns the process of pottery from a master, from scooping the clay to refining it to firing a pot in the kiln. He also grows closer to the potter and his wife, who loves him like the son they lost, although Tree-Ear must come to terms with the fact that, under the law, he may never be allowed to become his apprentice.
Impressions: It is criminal how underrepresented Korea is, and this book is a great way to get children interested. It goes into great detail on what Korea used to be like and the art of pottery, and the afterward explains even more. I was really quite engaged. Furthermore, it's just a good story about a homeless boy who manages to grow out of his situation. If there was an end to the days when the Newberys were relevant, then it wasn't before this year. If you see it, read it, at least for the setting.
Second opinion: "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... [T]his book not only gives readers insight into an unfamiliar time and place, but it is also a great story."
Citation: Scotto, B. (2001). A single shard (Book Review) (Undetermined). School Library Journal, 158.
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