asingleshard

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Book Reviews and Synopses

A Single Shard

Linda Sue Park

Park, Linda. A Single Shard. Clarion Books. New York City, New York. 2001.

Released in 2001, A Single Shard is a emotional children's book. It is a mediocre book of Linda Sue Park that leaves readers wanting more but fails to capture the true feeling of loss that it promises. It has inspired many young authors to follow in its footsteps but it may be the wrong way to go because of its many flaws. The book strays out of the main storyline and goes into unnecessary subpoints quite a number of times.

The story of A Single Shard is about a boy by the name of Shard, who is sickened by the way of life in his village. His mother was murdered when he was of six. His father had went on a journey to seek his wife’s murderer, leaving Shard with his step-mother.

Having been a single child, Shard does not receive the same love his step-brothers get from his step-mother. Ever since his first days, with no real mother, he knew that this was not the life he wanted to live. His step-mother constantly beats him for even the smallest of mistakes. His step- brothers treated him like a worthless slave and he was not allowed to sleep inside the house. His father was a karate master who had taught Shard all of this knowledge and skill. Shard has always worn the white karate clothing that he received from this beloved father to remember him. He refused to take it off, even with all the pressure used by his step-mother to do so.

Six years later, at the age of twelve, Shard refused to accept the cruel life that he has to deal with, he is tired of waiting for his fathers return. He starts out to finish what his father started as he follows the path to avenge his mother. Shard heads out towards his fathers last known location, the river bank by The Lost Desert hoping to find traces of the killer.

Linda Park’s A Single Shard does not quite hit the mark it was aiming for, as there are many parts in the story where it goes on and on about a sub topic leaving the main storyline behind. However, it comes very close and I'm sure it will inspire many authors to continue writing more on the subject of loss, tragedy and revenge.

3 out of 5 Stars

Contributed by B. Shrestha

May 18 2011