A Single Shard
Recommended. Age: 10+. A Catholic review of this book for parents.
Our review
Tree-ear is an orphan boy in old Korea who lives under a bridge with his kind friend Crane-man. He works for an old potter named Min and dreams of making pots himself. When robbers smash the pots he must carry to the king's city, he has to find a way to keep his promise. A gentle story about honest work and keeping your word, Recommended. Age 10, set by Lumen's own read-alone age.
For parents
Age 10, set by Lumen's own read-alone age (no Common Sense Media book review or publisher age could be fetched). Read it aloud from 8. Robbers attack Tree-ear on a cliff and throw his vases over the edge. Crane-man dies after falling into cold water. Min and his wife lost a son. The place where Tree-ear is robbed carries a legend of women who jumped from a cliff rather than be taken prisoner. Ask: what does it mean to keep a promise when it gets hard?