by Linda Sue Park
A wonderful work of historical fiction that takes one back to Korea in the 1200's. Ms. Park is inspired by a beautiful piece of celadon pottery, the Thousand Cranes Vase. She takes this beautiful piece of pottery and weaves a masterful tale as to its creation. I was immersed in the tale of the orphan Tree Ear and his companion/caretaker Crane Man. Crane Man has taken Tree Ear under his wing from an early age and raised him to be self-reliant. They subsist on what they can gather themselves, out of rubbish heaps, from the forest and from the leftovers that no one else wants. Although they are poor, Crane Man has instilled a sense of right and wrong in Tree Ear and a sense of self-worth. So when Tree Ear accidently ruins some of Min's work, he knows he must make it right. Tree Ear has to work 10 days for Min to absolve the debt. After the 10 days of back breaking work, he offers to continue to work for the aging Min. Even as the lowliest of low servant Tree Ear is awarded a mid-day meal, he works hard at preserving half of this meal, in order to take it back to the bridge and Crane Man for their evening meal. Amiga, Min's wife, discovers Tree Ears plans and adds to the bowl.
Crane Man and Tree Ear are eating better than they ever have. Amiga even gifts Tree Ear with a warm outfit, that Tree Ear shares with his companion. One day Tree Ear notices one of the other potters behaving oddly. He decides to pay very close attention to Kang, to try to discover why he is being so secretive. Kang is devising a method in which to inlay the pottery with other colors of slip, to enhance the pottery. Kang shows his new ability to a royal emissary that enters the village looking for new royal potters. Although Min has far superior quality in his pieces, the new technique holds the day. Min is forced to try to embrace the new skill and attempts to make his own inlaid piece. His first batch does not fire well and he loses his opportunity to impress the emissary, but if he is able to get one of his pieces with the inlay to the capital than he would be almost guaranteed a commission. Alas Min is a very old man and there is no way for him to make a journey of that length.
Tree Ear overhears the conversation and convinces Min that he would be willing to make the journey for him. This brings new hope to the potter. Min works tirelessly to devise a beautiful piece of work when his second batch of inlaid work comes out there are two beautiful vases. Crane Man helps Tree Ear prepare for his trek by devising a straw carrying pack and promises to continue to help Amiga, Min's wife. Tree Ear than set out in trepidation to carry his precious cargo to the palace. Things go perfectly until he is jumped by bandits. The bandits thought that he was carrying a bunch of rice and in their disappointment toss the beautiful pottery off of a cliff to crash on the ground below. In despair and as a last hope, he cradles a single shard to the palace. The royal emissary, who is well aware of Min's ability grants the commission on the single shard, proof of his technique on inlay.
Tree Ear arrives back in the village a conquering hero, only to discover Crane Man has passed away in a freak accident and he is to be alone until Amiga and Min offer Tree Ear to live with them in their home. Tree Ear is given a new name and something that he has been dreaming of... Min is willing to teach him how to make pottery.
I enjoyed this story immensely! I like that it was inspired by a real piece of art and that the author kept it historically accurate, it read very authentic to me. I am going to give this book a 5 out of 5 stars and would encourage any reader 5th grade on up to enjoy this book.
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