A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

I read "A Single Shard" by Linda Sue Park aloud to Kevin when he was younger, and just recently read it to Kaleb. It's a great book, with a strong story line and great cultural content. The story is set in Korea and follows the journey of a young homeless boy who eventually becomes a potter. It teaches the value of perseverance and hard work. It shows the value of doing something excellently, not just "good enough" or "well".

The characters in story are well-developed. As they become personal friends through the pages of this book, you find yourself moved by their adventures and misadventures.

The book also discusses celadon pottery, and the painstaking work it took to create a masterpiece. Reading a story like this is a great way to give kids an understanding of the art of pottery making.

This book is aimed at children ages 8-12, and that seems like a good range to me. However, if you read it aloud to your children or siblings, you as an adult will also be impacted by the story!