Fatty Legs

Fatty Legs is a middle-grade memoir co-written by Margaret Pokiak-Fenton and her daughter-in-law Christy Jordan-Fenton, with illustrations by Liz Amini-Holmes. The book tells the true story of eight-year-old Margaret's experiences at a residential school in Canada's Arctic region during the 1940s. Margaret, determined to learn how to read, convinces her reluctant father to let her attend the Catholic residential school far from her Inuvialuit community. Upon arrival at the school, she discovers that her dream of education comes at a steep price as she faces mistreatment from those in authority. The story follows Margaret's two years at the residential school, focusing on her interactions with one particularly cruel nun and her struggle to maintain her dignity and identity. Through Margaret's voice, readers learn about the daily realities of life at the residential school, including the strict rules, harsh discipline, and attempts to erase Indigenous culture. This memoir stands as an important historical document of Canada's residential school system while exploring universal themes of resilience, self-worth, and the power of staying true to oneself in the face of oppression. The book presents difficult subject matter in a way that remains accessible to young readers while honoring the truth of Margaret's experiences.

Readers describe this as an accessible introduction to residential school history for children ages 9-12. Many reviews note that the memoir's first-person perspective helps young readers connect with and understand this difficult topic. Readers appreciated: - The inclusion of archival photos and illustrations - Clear explanations of complex issues - Margaret's strength and resilience - The balanced tone that addresses serious topics without being overwhelming - The additional historical context provided in sidebars Common criticisms: - Some found the writing style too simple for older readers - A few wanted more details about daily life at the school Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (350+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "Perfect for teaching children about this dark chapter of history without traumatizing them" - Goodreads reviewer "The narrative voice captures both childhood innocence and determination" - School librarian on Amazon "Should be required reading in Canadian schools" - Common reader sentiment

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🔸 The story is based on the real-life experiences of co-author Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, Christy Jordan-Fenton's mother-in-law, who attended residential school in Aklavik, Northwest Territories. 🔸 The book's title "Fatty Legs" refers to the long red stockings a nun forced Margaret to wear, which made her legs appear larger and led to mockery from other students. 🔸 Over 150,000 Indigenous children were sent to residential schools in Canada between the 1870s and 1996, with the last school closing only 27 years ago. 🔸 The book includes authentic archival photographs and original artwork by Inuit artist Liz Amini-Holmes, helping to bring Margaret's story to life. 🔸 Margaret Pokiak-Fenton is from the Inuvialuit people, whose traditional territory spans the western Canadian Arctic, and she grew up on Banks Island in the Northwest Territories.