Plot Summary
The story takes place in 12th century Korea. It is about an orphan named Tree-ear who lives under a bridge with Crane-man, who has taken it upon himself to be his care-taker. One day Tree-ear accidentally breaks an valuable piece of pottery and must work for the grouchy artist, Min, to repay the debt. To please, the potter's wife, Tree-ear takes some of Min's pottery to the palace to show the royal emissary, it is a long and dangerous journey. Along the way, Tree-ear is attacked by robbers who end up breaking Min's pottery. Rather than return home having failed, Tree-ear takes a single shard of Min's broken vessels to the king's emissary, who is so impressed with the workmanship of that single shard that he offers Min a royal commission. The shard provides enough detail to convince the emissary to offer Min a royal commission. When Tree-ear returns with the good news, he learns that Crane-man has died in his absence. Min and ajima take Tree-ear in.
Personal Reaction
So many characters to love in this book. Tree-ear is the kind of character that you want to pull from the book and take care of. He is honest, loyal, kind, and sensitive. The motherly, caring potter's wife secretly refills Tree-ear's bowl with food when he isn't looking and allows him the great honor of calling her ajima, auntie. Crane-man, is a father-figure to the orphan, Tree-ear, feeding and caring for him, and teaching him honesty and and respect.
Memorable Literary Element
Throughout the book, Crane-man shares his insights with Tree-ear. "I have no gift for you beyond words," he said. "I would tell you this. Of all the problems you may meet o your journey, it will be people who are the greatest danger. But it will also be people to whom you must turn if ever you are in need of aid. Remember this, my friend, and you will travel well."
Illustrations
There are no illustrations, but cover art is by Graham Baker Smith.
Cover design by Sheila Smallwood.
The story takes place in 12th century Korea. It is about an orphan named Tree-ear who lives under a bridge with Crane-man, who has taken it upon himself to be his care-taker. One day Tree-ear accidentally breaks an valuable piece of pottery and must work for the grouchy artist, Min, to repay the debt. To please, the potter's wife, Tree-ear takes some of Min's pottery to the palace to show the royal emissary, it is a long and dangerous journey. Along the way, Tree-ear is attacked by robbers who end up breaking Min's pottery. Rather than return home having failed, Tree-ear takes a single shard of Min's broken vessels to the king's emissary, who is so impressed with the workmanship of that single shard that he offers Min a royal commission. The shard provides enough detail to convince the emissary to offer Min a royal commission. When Tree-ear returns with the good news, he learns that Crane-man has died in his absence. Min and ajima take Tree-ear in.
Personal Reaction
So many characters to love in this book. Tree-ear is the kind of character that you want to pull from the book and take care of. He is honest, loyal, kind, and sensitive. The motherly, caring potter's wife secretly refills Tree-ear's bowl with food when he isn't looking and allows him the great honor of calling her ajima, auntie. Crane-man, is a father-figure to the orphan, Tree-ear, feeding and caring for him, and teaching him honesty and and respect.
Memorable Literary Element
Throughout the book, Crane-man shares his insights with Tree-ear. "I have no gift for you beyond words," he said. "I would tell you this. Of all the problems you may meet o your journey, it will be people who are the greatest danger. But it will also be people to whom you must turn if ever you are in need of aid. Remember this, my friend, and you will travel well."
Illustrations
There are no illustrations, but cover art is by Graham Baker Smith.
Cover design by Sheila Smallwood.
Reviews/Awards
Newbery Medal - 2002
Publishers Weekly - Readers will not soon forget these characters or their sacrifices.
School Library Journal - Like Park's Seesaw Girl and The Kite Fighters, this book not only gives readers insight into an unfamiliar time and place, but it is also a great story.
Kirkus - Intrigues, danger and the same strong focus on doing what is right turn a simple story into a compelling read.
Booklist - When the polite greeting in a society is “Have you eaten well today?’ one may guess that subsistence is of prime concern. Surely no one in this twelfth-century Korean village is more accustomed to hunger than the orphan boy Tree-ear and his guardian Crane-man who is lame. They sleep under a bridge in summer and in a pit in winter, eating what they can forage in the woods or garbage piles. At the age of 12, Tree-ear becomes an assistant to the potter Min. A hard taskmaster to himself and the boy, Min is the maker of the finest celadon ware in Ch’ul’po, a village known for its pottery. When Min entrusts two precious pots to Tree-ear to deliver to Songdo, the boy must make his way across miles of unknown territory, relying on his courage and wits to prove himself worthy of Min’s trust. This quiet, but involving, story draws readers into a very different time and place. Though the society has its own conventions, the hearts and minds and stomachs of the characters are not so far removed from those of people today. Readers will feel the hunger and cold that Tree-ear experiences, as well as his shame, fear, gratitude, and love. A well-crafted novel with an unusual setting. — Carolyn Phelan
Newbery Medal - 2002
Publishers Weekly - Readers will not soon forget these characters or their sacrifices.
School Library Journal - Like Park's Seesaw Girl and The Kite Fighters, this book not only gives readers insight into an unfamiliar time and place, but it is also a great story.
Kirkus - Intrigues, danger and the same strong focus on doing what is right turn a simple story into a compelling read.
Booklist - When the polite greeting in a society is “Have you eaten well today?’ one may guess that subsistence is of prime concern. Surely no one in this twelfth-century Korean village is more accustomed to hunger than the orphan boy Tree-ear and his guardian Crane-man who is lame. They sleep under a bridge in summer and in a pit in winter, eating what they can forage in the woods or garbage piles. At the age of 12, Tree-ear becomes an assistant to the potter Min. A hard taskmaster to himself and the boy, Min is the maker of the finest celadon ware in Ch’ul’po, a village known for its pottery. When Min entrusts two precious pots to Tree-ear to deliver to Songdo, the boy must make his way across miles of unknown territory, relying on his courage and wits to prove himself worthy of Min’s trust. This quiet, but involving, story draws readers into a very different time and place. Though the society has its own conventions, the hearts and minds and stomachs of the characters are not so far removed from those of people today. Readers will feel the hunger and cold that Tree-ear experiences, as well as his shame, fear, gratitude, and love. A well-crafted novel with an unusual setting. — Carolyn Phelan