Newbery Books discussion

I have been interested in celadon pottery ever since going to Korea in 2000 where we visited the Folk Village and saw (and bought) small pieces of the beautiful pottery. Shard is a lovely little book about an orphan's dream to learn from his village's master potter how to throw a pot in 12th century Korea. I think the characters of Tree-Ear, Crane-man, Min, and Ajima, and the time, and place are well developed and we can learn much about hard work and happiness from them.

I'd like to see your celadon, Mom! I didn't get a chance to reread Shard this month, but I did read it a few years ago. I liked it, too.

I love this book. Linda Sue Park has an amazing ability to take a chore and make it beautiful. I appreciate that this is a book about noble characters, noble goals and ambitions, it's just so refreshing. How can you not love each and every one of them? It is a heart warming story that delivers a great message of perseverance, loyalty, and hard work.

I loved the theme of integrity . . . the little times between Tree Ear and Crane Man of just sitting and thinking and talking of what is right. I really think he was a great teacher.

I, too, liked the character development. As well as the setting . . .

I too loved the theme of integrity that is woven throughout the book. What struck me the most was Tree Ear's determination to fulfil his "mission". When it looked as though all was lost, he refused to give up because he didn't want to dishonor himself or disappoint his master.
I knew that this was going to be a good book right away in chapter 1 when Tree Ear was contemplating whether it was stealing to wait as more rice fell from the farmer's bag before he alerted him that his bag was leaking. How many of us do little dishonest things each day without even batting an eye? I love it when a book encourages me to evaluate myself.