She remembers the strange noise of the traffic at night and would describe the experience like moving to a foreign country. Her parents divorced when she was seven, and she moved to town.

As a youngster, she barrel-raced, rode on cattle drives, witnessed dozens of brandings, and often woke up on early spring mornings to find lambs, calves, and foals taking refuge in the bathroom.

Her only dreams were to be a cowgirl, to dance with Gene Kelly and to write stories. The Ontario Library Association included A Stranger at Home on their annual Best Bets List, and the Canadian Children's Book Centre named it one of the best books for kids and teens.Christy Jordan-Fenton was born on a farm in rural Alberta. Over time, Margaret readjusted to life at home with her family and community.Ī Stranger at Home received a positive review from Kirkus Reviews, who noted, 'Olemaun's spirit and determination shine through this moving memoir.' Although she is thrilled to return home, her mother doesn't recognize the person she has become and angrily yells, 'Not my girl!' Two years later, Margaret returned home a stranger with short cropped hair and the outsiders' perspective of the world, and she has lost many of the skills and enjoyments of life with her family. While at the school, she was unable to speak her language or connect to her culture in any way.

The four books 'have sold more than a quarter of a million copies and collected over 20 awards and distinctions.' Plot Īt age eight, fascinated by the possibility of reading, Margaret Pokiak-Fenton asked her parents if she could attend the nearby religious school instead of her Arctic school, not knowing the dangers of the residential school system. The book follows Margaret Pokiak's experience of returning home to her family after living at a residential school for two years.Ī Stranger at Home was preceded by Fatty Legs, both of which were later revised for younger readers and published under the titles When I Was Eight and Not My Girl. A Stranger at Home is a memoir aimed at middle-grade children, written by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret (Olemaun) Pokiak-Fenton and illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes, published Septemby Annick Press.

Fatty legs by christy jordan fenton