The Power of the Pearl Earrings

By Linda Trinh and Clayton Nguyen

A charming early chapter book series that explores Vietnamese culture and identity through the eyes of the Nguyen siblings, with elements of the supernatural, spirituality, and social justice woven in.

I touch my earrings and feel a rush of wind. I can almost hear Grandma Nội’s laughter through them. 

Spontaneous and energetic Liz, the middle Nguyen sibling, grew up hearing stories from her Grandma Nội about the fantastically fierce Trung Sisters, freedom fighters in ancient Vietnam. And with a new school year about to start, Liz is determined that her taekwondo classes will prove she is just as important and brave as the famous warriors. That is, until the new boy at school, Michael, threatens her plans by turning her best friend against her, telling her the things she can’t do because she’s a girl. Struggling with both her friendships and her place in her family, Liz finds help where she least expects it—in the pearl earrings her Grandma Nội left her as a gift, reminding her of her Vietnamese heritage. Armed with the earrings’ mysterious power, Liz decides to show Michael exactly what girls are capable of.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Annick Press
• Release date: Oct 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781773217123

Linda Trinh

LINDA TRINH is a Vietnamese Canadian author who writes fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. Her work has appeared in anthologies and literary magazines. She explores identity, cultural background, and spirituality. The Nguyen Kids is her first children's book series. She lives with her family in Winnipeg.

Book preview

The Cover of the Nguyen Kids book two: The Power of the Pearl Earrings, Written by Linda Trinh with illustration by Claton Nguyen. Liz Nguyen jumpkicks through the air with her earrings lit up. Leaves blow in the air. Jacob and Anne cheer her on.The title page for the Nguyen Kids: The Power of the Pearl Earrings, features the author and illustrator's names and the Annick Press logo at the bottom of the page

© 2022 Linda Trinh (text)© 2022 Clayton Nguyen (illustrations)

Cover art by Clayton Nguyen, designed by Paul Covello Interior designed by Paul Covello and Aldo Fierro Edited by Katie Hearn Copy edited by Eleanor Gasparik Proofread by Mary Ann Blair

Annick Press Ltd.

All rights reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyrights hereon

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This edition published in 2022 by Annick Press Ltd., 388 Carlaw Avenue, Suite 200, Toronto, ON M4M 2T4

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council, and the participation of the Government of Canada/la participation du gouvernement du Canada for our publishing activities.

logo for the Governent of Canada and the Ontario Arts Council

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Title: The power of the pearl earrings / written by Linda Trinh ; illustrated by Clayton Nguyen.

Names: Trinh, Linda, author. | Nguyen, Clayton, illustrator.

Description: The Nguyen kids--Cover.

Identifiers: Canadiana 20220167834 | ISBN 9781773217109 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781773217116 (softcover)

Classification: LCC PS8639.R575 P69 2022 | DDC jC813/.6—dc23

Published in the U.S.A. by Annick Press (U.S.) Ltd.

Distributed in Canada by University of Toronto Press.

Distributed in the U.S.A. by Publishers Group West.

Annick Press's website

Linda Trinh's website

Clayton Nguyen's website

For Ryan, our stories are forever intertwined.

—L.T.


For Maddy.

—C.N.

A two-storey house shown from the front, with a driveway, garage, front yard, and a tree in full bloom to one side of a wooden fence. It's raining in the daytime and a bit of rainbow

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: I’m the Leader!

Chapter 2: Golden Boy

Chapter 3: Grandma Nội’s Gifts

Chapter 4: Quick to Act

Chapter 5: Mid-Autumn Festival

Chapter 6: The Trung Aunties

Chapter 7: No Girls Allowed Club

Chapter 8: One of the Boys

Chapter 9: What’s Wrong with Me?

Chapter 10: All the Ancestors Are in Me

Chapter 11: What’s Really Going On

Chapter 12: You Okay?

Chapter 13: So Special!

Chapter 1

I’m the Leader!

Now what, Liz? Rohan, Best Friend Ever, asks me. He grabs a handful of ketchup chips.

I shrug. We’re hanging out in my living room. It’s the Sunday before school starts and it’s raining. It’s so boring being trapped inside.

Let’s play Trung Warriors! I stand up quickly. To practice for our first Taekwondo class.

Okay! Rohan says as he leaps onto the couch.

You were Trưng Trắc last time. I’m the leader! I move to stand in front of him. I’m at the front of the elephant. You’re my sister, Trưng Nhị.

My Grandma Nội used to babysit me and Rohan. My grandma used to tell us the story of Hai Bà Trưng, two brave sisters who lived a long time ago. They were warriors, great fighters, and fought for freedom. They were Vietnamese like I am.