The Quest for the Golden Bracelet

On his twelfth birthday, Oshry prepares to set out on the traditional quest to become an adult in the coal colony: the quest for the golden bracelet. This tradition is sacred to the potters, small forest creatures who live in hollow trees. The trek to the floating island, where the golden bracelets are made, brings Oshry through other potter communities and confronts him with an unspoken rule that forbids friendships between colonies. Balsam, a young potter from the maple colony who is also on her quest, finds this rule a bit silly and tags along with a reluctant Oshry. But as they travel together, they begin to hear rumours of the mistreatment of potters on the floating island. By the time they reach the island, both feel uncomfortable accepting the traditional bracelet, but what can they do?