Marvelous Multicultural MG Monday - A Single Shard
From Goodreads: Tree-ear, an orphan, lives under a bridge in Ch’ulp’o, a potters’ village famed for delicate celadon ware. He has become fascinated with the potter’s craft; he wants nothing more than to watch master potter Min at work, and he dreams of making a pot of his own someday. When Min takes Tree-ear on as his helper, Tree-ear is elated-until he finds obstacles in his path: the backbreaking labor of digging and hauling clay, Min’s irascible temper, and his own ignorance. But Tree-ear is determined to prove himself-even if it means taking a long, solitary journey on foot to present Min’s work in the hope of a royal commission . . . even if it means arriving at the royal court with nothing to show but a single celadon shard.
Why you "better" read this book: Ok, not exactly like that but I highly recommend it. Yes just like that.
Now to answer the why.
This story was right on the edge (for me) between middle grade and young adult. Although it was meant for young audiences it had a lot of deep scenes and occurrences all the way through. Things that will make you stop and think. Tree-ear will charm you with his curiosity, wisdom, honesty, courage and big heart. You get to watch him grow from a boy into a man, though not physically. It would be major spoiler to explain it. All I can say is things happened, the life changing type.
I worried about Tree-ear, laughed with him and even shed a tear for him. To read the full review please head over here.