A Single Shard was published in 2001 and was written by Linda Sue Park. It is a novel that is set in ancient Korea, and that tells the story of a young boy named Tree-ear, who is an orphan. He sees a potter and wants to learn how to make pottery, and through his journey, Tree-ear learns many life lessons through his hardships and recovery.
A Single Shard won the Newbery Medal in 2002, which helped boost its popularity. Today many people, not only children, read the book and vicariously live in Tree-ear’s life that explores the deep themes of pride, perseverance and resourcefulness, and dignity.