Tree-ear is an orphan boy in a 12th-century Korean potters' village. When he accidentally breaks a pot, he must work for the master to pay for the damage by setting off on a difficult and dangerous journey that will change his life forever.

Tree-ear is an orphan boy in a 12th-century Korean potters'' village. For a long time he is content living with Crane-man under a bridge barely surviving on scraps of food. All that changes when he sees master potter Min making his beautiful pottery. Tree-ear sneaks back to Min''s workplace and dreams of creating his own pots someday. When he accidentally breaks a pot, he must work for the master to pay for the damage. Though the work is long and hard, Tree-ear is eager to learn. Then he is sent to the King''s Court to show the master''s pottery. Little does Tree-ear know that this difficult and dangerous journey will change his life forever.

Linda Sue Park's latest book is When My Name Was Keoko.