First published 2006
Tree-ear lives as an orphan in a Korean village where master potters shape clay into beautiful celadon vessels. The boy survives by scavenging scraps with Crane-man, the kindly old man who cares for him. One day Tree-ear accidentally shatters one of master potter Min's creations while examining it too closely. Min demands payment for the broken piece, but Tree-ear owns nothing. The potter offers him a choice: work without wages to repay the debt. Tree-ear accepts and begins learning the demanding craft under Min's harsh guidance. When an opportunity arises for Min to present his work to the royal court, Tree-ear volunteers to make the treacherous journey carrying the precious pottery. The road tests every part of his courage and determination. Through his trials, Tree-ear discovers his own strength and finds the family he never knew he needed.
Genres: family-life, historical-fiction, adventure, coming-of-age, asian-american
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, underdog
Setting: Korea
Period: 20th-century
Audio CD · Listening Library (Audio)