One of my goals is to read all the Newberry Award winning books, and the Newberry Honors as well. A Single Shard won in 2002. The writing is simple and philosphic. Is buddistic a word? In fact it is infused with moral lessons delivered so mildly that it's like a loving grandparent crafted the tale just for me. A Single Shard is about a boy, Tree Ear, who lives under a bridge in a potter's village in 12th Century Korea. The text is full of authentic details about Celadon Pottery from that era, which served as a parable about the virtue of taking time to do something right (how do yo
u say that in fewer words?). Really though, I like stories that tell how ordinary people used to live while more important historic events were unfolding, elsewhere. There is no high adventure in this story; however, like other juvenile lit heros Tree-Ear is an orphan, he's on the cusp of manhood, he lives in a remote place, he has a wizened old friend, he has a unique/great talent, he's loyal, and he saves the day. So, of course it's a good book.
u say that in fewer words?). Really though, I like stories that tell how ordinary people used to live while more important historic events were unfolding, elsewhere. There is no high adventure in this story; however, like other juvenile lit heros Tree-Ear is an orphan, he's on the cusp of manhood, he lives in a remote place, he has a wizened old friend, he has a unique/great talent, he's loyal, and he saves the day. So, of course it's a good book.OTHERS THAT COME TO MIND:
juvenile lit books full of detail about everyday life in the middleages:
Catherine Called Birdy by Karen Cushman
The Midwifes Apprentice by Karen Cushman
The Seeing Stone by Kevin Crossley-Holland
Crispin by Avi
Good Masters! Sweet Ladies: Voices from a Medieval Villiage by Laura Amy Schlitz
Daughter of Venice by Donna Jo Napoli
other juvenile lit heros
Will (from The Dark is Rising, although he's not an orphan), Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter, Eragon, Taran (from Chronicles of Prydain)
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