A Single Shard

A beautifully crafted story of friendship and loyalty that won the Newbery Medal. Tree-ear is an orphan in tweelfth-century Korea. He lives under a bridge with Crane-man, who has taken care of him since he was a baby. Tree-ear hasn't got many prospects, but he is fascinated by master-potter, Min, who lives in the nearby village. Secretly watching Min work, Tree-ear longs to be a potter himself. He persuades Min to let him do little jobs, until one day he has the chance to provide a service for him - one that could bring glory to Min and the village and fulfil his own dreams. But there are others seeking glory and there are many obstacles for a young boy to overcome.

"A Single Shard is a delightful and utterly convincing account of what it feels like to make things . . . I read the novel with enormous pleasure and admiration." Philip Pullman