A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park

I watched Shala grow into the competent young mother she is today. And she is occasionally very shy. Yet she suggested our book group read this particular book. I was hoping she would come to our discussion, but she didn't. I am grateful we chose to read it, though, even though it didn't bring her out! 
I went to the library and couldn't find it in the young adult fiction section. It was in the children's section! It's 152 pages long, divided into chapters, but it's considered children's? That's okay--I found it! 
Our discussion of this book was wonderful. There are many themes to consider, but the one that sticks in my mind is the theme of beauty. There's power in beauty. Here's an excerpt that illustrates this point:

"Tree-ear loved the symmetry of the prunus vases that grew on Min's wheel. Once, back in the spring during his early days with Min, he had watched the potter place a plum branch in a finished vase to judge the effect. The gentle curves of the vase, its mysterious green color. The sharp angles of the plum twigs, their blackness stark amid airy white blossoms. The work of a human, the work of nature; clay from the earth, a branch from the sky. A kind of peace spread through Tree-ear, body and mind, as if while he looked at the vase and its branch, nothing could ever go wrong in the world." During our discussion, there were many fascinating insights about Korean culture, about the similarities to molding vs. being molded, about honesty and ethics, and on and on. It's a rich little book! I am glad I also bought a used copy online so I can take the time to read it again. It helps to have brilliant women in our group whose insights make me want to read it again... My copy also has Linda Sue Park's acceptance speech for the Newbery award this book received, and it's a very worthwhile read as well. I appreciate her humility!