This book takes the reader back to ancient Korea-- to the world of Korean potters, who made vases, pots, boxes, and other pieces out of clay and heated them in a kiln with a special celadon glaze. Tree-Ear is a homeless orphan, whose favorite activity is to watch one of the master potters in the village use his wheel to create something out a blob of clay. When Tree-Ear accidentally breaks one of Min's pieces, he begins to work for the potter to pay off the damage. Although the gruff Min, who is a perfectionist, never displays anything but disapproval at Tree-Ear's work, he allows him to continue on after he's paid off his debt, but never allows Tree-Ear near the potter's wheel. Still, Tree-Ear's dream is to make pottery of his own someday. His quest leads him down unexpected paths, where the course of one's life can be determined by a single celadon shard. This is the winner of the 2002 Newbery Medal.
Date read: 4/13/2009
ISBN-10: 0440418518
ISBN-13: 9780440418511
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