However, Single Shard starts off very slow and it takes a few chapters to get involved. It would be helpful if some of the action came earlier to make the readers be more interested. The book is also slow when the author describes the potters' activities and Tree-ear's travels to the palace. Perhaps some of this information could be put in the back as part of a separate section. It is also sometimes difficult to understand some of the things taking place, because the culture is so different. It would be helpful to read a little about Korea before reading the book. One of the positive things about the book is the ethical decisions that Tree-ear...

Although he was raised by a very ethical man, he had to decide what would be the best way to proceed given the circumstances. He learns that knowing what is right and wrong is not always simple. The choices that the young readers of this book have to make are also difficult at times. It shows that growing up then, although so long ago, is very much like growing up today. At the same time, the book demonstrates that life for a boy in early Korean history is very different from that of a youth today. This book should be read by students in middle school, because it shows how even young kids can be brave and take chances in life.