One Beaded Earring

by Pat Lamondin Skene, Natalie Laurin (illustrator)

Delia’s mom has the most beautiful earrings.


They’re long and dangly earrings, and made from strands upon strands of tiny blue, green and white beads that make the earrings look like waterfalls. Delia decides to wear the earrings to school to show off a little to her friends. And it works—until one earring falls down the drain in the school bathroom.


When Delia confides in her grandmother about the lost earring, she learns that she can’t just replace her Aunt Maureen made the earrings for her mother to celebrate getting their Métis citizenship. Delia didn’t even know her family was Métis! With no way to replace the lost earring, Delia must own up to her mistakes, dive deeper into her Métis identity and use her storytelling skills to find a way to make things right.


The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Genres: Indigenous

96 pages, Paperback

Published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Kay S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lot of interconnected events in this title. The incident with the earring, the short story contest, the discovery of Métis heritage, the growing Métis family... and not all of it gets tied up.

At the beginning there's the earring. The narrator puts emphasis on her thrift store clothes and the need to fit in with her classmates who, she perceives, to be wealthier. This isn't touched on again. Instead of addressing the family's apparent lack of finances, grandmother piles on to their differences with the recognition of their Métis heritage, further isolating their family from those of Delia's classmates. For this to receive such emphasis, for this to be the entire point of the titular plot... it's never addressed.

The gentle guidance into their Métis heritage is wonderful! The characters were excited to reclaim their status as Métis and learn the traditions and language and the art that make the Métis culture so unique. That led so nicely into what Delia put forward for the short story contest and was really what tied the story together, rather than the earring which seemed like a framing narrative (which really isn't needed for a children's book of this size).

While I have qualms, I liked it. It was simple yet sophisticated and an easy introduction to discussing Métis culture.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early chapter book. A Metis girl loses her mom's favorite earring at school and tries to find a way to make it up to her. While doing that she learns more about her Metis heritage and customs. Also about how to make things right when you make a mistake. Written at the right level for early chapter book, and a good story.

[Wina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary fiction for ages 6-9, this was so great for that age group. Short, sweet, large text. The feelings of the kids were realistic, and the story was meaningful with a happy ending. Books and writing are an important part of the story, and studying their Métis family history is seamlessly incorporated. Good way to introduce Métis words, too! Great little book.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

OwnVoices from Orca Publishers. I expected it to be good, and it is. Rounded up to four stars because it includes back matter. And I love the solution about what to do with one earring when the other is lost: Turn it into a necklace.

[Monica DiGiovanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a nice story without a lot of extra fluff. Simple and to the point, great for new chapter book readers or someone looking for a sweet story.

[Yapha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent early chapter book. Delia is very relatable! The Metis facts are woven in smoothly. Recommended for grades 2 & up.