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Quand j'Avais Huit Ans
Une adaptation du roman à succès Les bas du pensionnat pour les lecteurs débutants!
Olemaun a huit ans et elle sait beaucoup de choses. Mais elle ne sait pas lire. Faisant fi des avertissements de son père, elle effectue un long voyage pour aller à l'école des étrangers.
Au pensionnat, les religieuses lui retirent son nom. Elles rasent ses cheveux et la forcent à faire des tâches ménagères, mais Olemaun demeure imperturbable. Sa ténacité attire l'attention d'une religieuse vêtue d'une longue robe noire, qui tente de briser son esprit à la moindre occasion. Mais Olemaun est plus déterminée que jamais à apprendre à lire.
Basé sur la vraie histoire de Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, cet album rend le roman à succès Les bas du pensionnat accessible aux lecteurs plus jeunes. Maintenant, eux aussi peuvent faire la rencontre de cette jeune fille remarquable qui nous rappelle tout le pouvoir que l'on détient quand on sait lire.
Olemaun a huit ans et elle sait beaucoup de choses. Mais elle ne sait pas lire. Faisant fi des avertissements de son père, elle effectue un long voyage pour aller à l'école des étrangers.
Au pensionnat, les religieuses lui retirent son nom. Elles rasent ses cheveux et la forcent à faire des tâches ménagères, mais Olemaun demeure imperturbable. Sa ténacité attire l'attention d'une religieuse vêtue d'une longue robe noire, qui tente de briser son esprit à la moindre occasion. Mais Olemaun est plus déterminée que jamais à apprendre à lire.
Basé sur la vraie histoire de Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, cet album rend le roman à succès Les bas du pensionnat accessible aux lecteurs plus jeunes. Maintenant, eux aussi peuvent faire la rencontre de cette jeune fille remarquable qui nous rappelle tout le pouvoir que l'on détient quand on sait lire.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 29, 2013
About the author
Christy Jordan-Fenton
7 books42 followersChristy Jordan-Fenton was born on a farm in rural Alberta. Her only dreams were to be a cowgirl, to dance with Gene Kelly and to write stories. 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 parents divorced when she was seven, and she moved to town. She remembers the strange noise of the traffic at night and would describe the experience like moving to a foreign country. Luckily, she was blessed with a stepfather who loved the outdoors and often took her and her brother on day-long bike rides, and fishing and camping trips. From a young age, she was very aware of how his experiences as a Native affected both his life and the lives of her step-siblings. She has been passionate about Native rights ever since.
Christy attended a rural high school in Ontario with a population of 500 students collected from six different communities. She preferred a dance studio to the classroom and composed volumes of poetry during math classes. She also managed to read nearly every book by Mordecai Richler before graduating. Most of these were read by stealth during lectures.
Having had her head filled with too many lost generation romantic notions, she joined the infantry reserve and spent the next few years traveling from base to base. She was then accepted to Norwich University (VT) in the Corps of Cadets to study Peace, War and Diplomacy. While there, she was part of the Mountain Cold Weather Special Operations Company, played rugby, and often rode crazy carpets down the school’s ski hill.
She was awarded a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship and used it to study at the University of Queensland in Australia. She then returned to the United States where she worked developing a leadership challenge program for disadvantaged youth, and taught wilderness survival; however, unable to shake the travel bug, she left to spend a year in South Africa. Her fondest memories are of reading stories to street children at night.
Western Canada called her home and she traveled across the prairies working in the oil patch and riding bucking horses, before meeting her husband and settling down. They now live on a farm outside of Fort St. John, B.C., and have three small children, a handful of chickens, two rabbits, three dogs, a llama, and enough horses to outfit a small town.
A desire to raise her children with a healthy sense of self-esteem brought her back to her passion for Native issues. She is eternally grateful to her Inuvialuit mother-in-law for sharing her residential school experiences and was thrilled when the opportunity came for her to write about them in Fatty Legs (Fall 2010).
For Christy, dreams do come true. She is a student of natural horsemanship, is a performing cowgirl poet, and her work has appeared in Jones Ave., a quarterly devoted to poetry and reviews. She is currently working on several children’s stories, a novel for adults, and a short story collection. She has yet to dance with Gene Kelly.
Her parents divorced when she was seven, and she moved to town. She remembers the strange noise of the traffic at night and would describe the experience like moving to a foreign country. Luckily, she was blessed with a stepfather who loved the outdoors and often took her and her brother on day-long bike rides, and fishing and camping trips. From a young age, she was very aware of how his experiences as a Native affected both his life and the lives of her step-siblings. She has been passionate about Native rights ever since.
Christy attended a rural high school in Ontario with a population of 500 students collected from six different communities. She preferred a dance studio to the classroom and composed volumes of poetry during math classes. She also managed to read nearly every book by Mordecai Richler before graduating. Most of these were read by stealth during lectures.
Having had her head filled with too many lost generation romantic notions, she joined the infantry reserve and spent the next few years traveling from base to base. She was then accepted to Norwich University (VT) in the Corps of Cadets to study Peace, War and Diplomacy. While there, she was part of the Mountain Cold Weather Special Operations Company, played rugby, and often rode crazy carpets down the school’s ski hill.
She was awarded a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarship and used it to study at the University of Queensland in Australia. She then returned to the United States where she worked developing a leadership challenge program for disadvantaged youth, and taught wilderness survival; however, unable to shake the travel bug, she left to spend a year in South Africa. Her fondest memories are of reading stories to street children at night.
Western Canada called her home and she traveled across the prairies working in the oil patch and riding bucking horses, before meeting her husband and settling down. They now live on a farm outside of Fort St. John, B.C., and have three small children, a handful of chickens, two rabbits, three dogs, a llama, and enough horses to outfit a small town.
A desire to raise her children with a healthy sense of self-esteem brought her back to her passion for Native issues. She is eternally grateful to her Inuvialuit mother-in-law for sharing her residential school experiences and was thrilled when the opportunity came for her to write about them in Fatty Legs (Fall 2010).
For Christy, dreams do come true. She is a student of natural horsemanship, is a performing cowgirl poet, and her work has appeared in Jones Ave., a quarterly devoted to poetry and reviews. She is currently working on several children’s stories, a novel for adults, and a short story collection. She has yet to dance with Gene Kelly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
November 17, 2018
The first of two picture book-version parts of the memoir Fatty Legs, tells of a First Nations girl who goes to a school to have her hair cut, her name change, her language taken away only to come home years later to a mother who said to her when she saw her, "Not My Girl," the title of the second book. This is a pretty grim, cruel story of a mean nun who appears to have it in for the young girl, but the girl persists and learns to read, so in the end it is pretty hopeful
December 9, 2017
When I Was Eight is a picture book adaptation of the early/middle grade chapter book Fatty Legs, telling the true story of Olemaun (Margaret) Pokiak as she ventures into the dangerous territory of residential schools in northern Canada.
The overall story of what was told in Fatty Legs is the same here in When I Was Eight. The story has been made less frightening for younger readers. The illustrations are done by a different artist, creating images that are less chilling, and overall warmer. It still presents residential schools as a scary place, and serves as a quality introduction for children to a very mature subject. It also serves much more about a book about reading than Fatty Legs did, offering more encouragement in literacy, and showing what learning to read meant to Olemaun.
When I Was Eight is a great picture book for any age, but especially for children ready to be introduced to the topic of residential schools. I would definitely recommend it.
The overall story of what was told in Fatty Legs is the same here in When I Was Eight. The story has been made less frightening for younger readers. The illustrations are done by a different artist, creating images that are less chilling, and overall warmer. It still presents residential schools as a scary place, and serves as a quality introduction for children to a very mature subject. It also serves much more about a book about reading than Fatty Legs did, offering more encouragement in literacy, and showing what learning to read meant to Olemaun.
When I Was Eight is a great picture book for any age, but especially for children ready to be introduced to the topic of residential schools. I would definitely recommend it.
March 5, 2021
Un album difficile parce qu’on aborde la discrimination des autochtones dans les écoles de blancs. La violence est sournoise et fait d’autant plus mal. La jeune Olemaun que nous suivons est un exemple de détermination et de persévérance. Elle apprend à lire par elle-même, malgré tous les obstacles que les religieuses mettent sur son chemin. Plusieurs références à Alice au pays des merveilles parsèment cet album, un parallèle entre les deux histoires serait très intéressant.
April 17, 2024
Such a beautiful and heartbreaking story! Definitely a must-read if you're looking for Indigenous voices in children's lit.
April 24, 2017
This WOW book is from the biography genre. I would use it in a 3rd grade classroom, where students are really beginning to learn how to read at a more advanced level. It is beautifully illustrated, and contains inspiring lessons and encouragements. It uses elementary level terms and dialogue, but depicts ideas that are mature and relatable for people of all ages.
One way in which I would use this book would be to teach the importance of learning to read and the powers that being able to read hold. This is a crucial skill for everyone to have, especially in the classroom. I feel that students should realize this and take pride in the fact that they know how to/are learning to read. I would also use this book to teach the importance of perseverance. I would first go over the meaning of this term, then discuss with students significance of practicing it, both inside and outside of the classroom. One lesson of this story is that if you put your mind to and work hard at something, it can be achieved. Another is that not everything in life comes easy and sometimes reaching a goal takes time an effort.
This was a WOW book for me mainly because of the lessons and key ideas embedded into it. I love to read, and I want my students to love reading just as much if not more. This book does an awesome job of highlighting how much reading plays a part in life, and how being able to read is something to take pride in. I love how the author tells of a passion to learn to read that is so deep, nothing, not even mean, degrading nuns who do not believe the goal will ever be met, can interfere. I like that this lesson applies to reading, but I also like how children could take many interpretations of it and apply to any other aspect of their lives.
One way in which I would use this book would be to teach the importance of learning to read and the powers that being able to read hold. This is a crucial skill for everyone to have, especially in the classroom. I feel that students should realize this and take pride in the fact that they know how to/are learning to read. I would also use this book to teach the importance of perseverance. I would first go over the meaning of this term, then discuss with students significance of practicing it, both inside and outside of the classroom. One lesson of this story is that if you put your mind to and work hard at something, it can be achieved. Another is that not everything in life comes easy and sometimes reaching a goal takes time an effort.
This was a WOW book for me mainly because of the lessons and key ideas embedded into it. I love to read, and I want my students to love reading just as much if not more. This book does an awesome job of highlighting how much reading plays a part in life, and how being able to read is something to take pride in. I love how the author tells of a passion to learn to read that is so deep, nothing, not even mean, degrading nuns who do not believe the goal will ever be met, can interfere. I like that this lesson applies to reading, but I also like how children could take many interpretations of it and apply to any other aspect of their lives.
September 26, 2017
This story is a biography about (Olemaun) Margaret Pokiak-Fenton an inuit girl, when she was eight years old she begged her father to let her go to the outsiders school because she wanted to learn to read. The nuns at the school were very mean to her, cut her hair, made her do extra chores, gave her ugly clothes to wear, and wouldn't let her eat or learn with the other children. They also took away her inuit name. Regardless of all the challenges she faced, Margaret was determined to learn to read! She focused all her attention on learning her letters and learning to read, and her perseverance triumphed and she learned to read at an extraordinary level! She even read ingredients on the cleaning bottles she was forced to use to scrub the floors. She did everything possible to make her dream come true.
In a classroom, this story can be used to teach children to never give up, and how important it is to read and to love reading! Even though Margaret had so many challenges, she did everything she could to make sure she would learn to read. This story can help children know how important it is to never give up. It also is a multi-cultural text about inuits, and how difficult it is for children in that culture to have access to education, and how the children in America should be very fortunate because of their access public schools that are easily accessible where they can learn to read (even if they might not be as excited as Margaret was!) This is a great story and can reinforce a children's love to read, or foster a new love of reading through Margaret's story of perseverance. This is a great read aloud for students in grades 2-4, and if student's really love this book there's a sequel called "Not My Girl" that they can read as well!
In a classroom, this story can be used to teach children to never give up, and how important it is to read and to love reading! Even though Margaret had so many challenges, she did everything she could to make sure she would learn to read. This story can help children know how important it is to never give up. It also is a multi-cultural text about inuits, and how difficult it is for children in that culture to have access to education, and how the children in America should be very fortunate because of their access public schools that are easily accessible where they can learn to read (even if they might not be as excited as Margaret was!) This is a great story and can reinforce a children's love to read, or foster a new love of reading through Margaret's story of perseverance. This is a great read aloud for students in grades 2-4, and if student's really love this book there's a sequel called "Not My Girl" that they can read as well!
January 27, 2014
This is the story of eight year old Olemaun. She wants so desperately to go to the outsiders school and learn to read their language. When her father agrees to allow her to attend the outsiders school, she finds that she has to fight for the right to do so.
I have heard of many accounts of what it was like to be native and attend an Indian Residential School. This book does not shy away from some of the accounts that I have heard, such as cutting the hair and stripping them of their ancestral names. Olemaun is renamed Margaret. She is mistreated by the nuns and made fun of by the other students. But she maintains her will and determination to learn to read.
This book is not for the faint at heart. I would only read it to upper elementary grades, 3rd through 5th. It is not rough in its imagery, but readers will have to answer tough questions about race and bigotry once the reading is done.
I have heard of many accounts of what it was like to be native and attend an Indian Residential School. This book does not shy away from some of the accounts that I have heard, such as cutting the hair and stripping them of their ancestral names. Olemaun is renamed Margaret. She is mistreated by the nuns and made fun of by the other students. But she maintains her will and determination to learn to read.
This book is not for the faint at heart. I would only read it to upper elementary grades, 3rd through 5th. It is not rough in its imagery, but readers will have to answer tough questions about race and bigotry once the reading is done.
September 28, 2015
I really enjoyed the book. The story details about a young girl who wants nothing more than to learn to read. The book goes through how this young girl overcomes adversity to be able to read one day. The story also gives readers some background on how many children who did not fit into America's society were forced to change. This is a book that students should read in order to learn about situations like these. The illustrations help to show the reader what is going on in the story.
November 5, 2019
This one broke my heart. It's a prequel to Not My Girl by the same authors. Mean nuns and chores at an Indian boarding school.
Read this one to your children or students to build cultural awareness and empathy.
Read this one to your children or students to build cultural awareness and empathy.
March 12, 2014
Dark, cruel, and heartbreaking. An important story beautifully conveyed. Highly recommended for ages 7-9.
January 16, 2016
This copy kindly provided by NetGalley on behalf of the publisher
Too much going on in this one for my son, he's 4.5yo, better suited to children a bit older I think.
This girl has big dreams and in order to achieve them she needs to leave her family & go to school in a different community to her own. Here she is subjected to horrible conditions & treatment, before she teaches herself to read.
There are references to Alice in Wonderland that may not make sense to a child that doesn't know the story.
For me, I thought it was just a little too heavy on the bad stuff, & bordered on scary at times (& not in the fun cartoony ghost & monster way. She gets locked in a dark basement by a teacher at one point), for a children's picture book. But that may simply be me preset as a parent to look for age/topic appropriate books for my own child...
Too much going on in this one for my son, he's 4.5yo, better suited to children a bit older I think.
This girl has big dreams and in order to achieve them she needs to leave her family & go to school in a different community to her own. Here she is subjected to horrible conditions & treatment, before she teaches herself to read.
There are references to Alice in Wonderland that may not make sense to a child that doesn't know the story.
For me, I thought it was just a little too heavy on the bad stuff, & bordered on scary at times (& not in the fun cartoony ghost & monster way. She gets locked in a dark basement by a teacher at one point), for a children's picture book. But that may simply be me preset as a parent to look for age/topic appropriate books for my own child...
January 23, 2022
*Spoilers*
This picture book made me really sad and angry because the teacher in the story treats the little girl different because of who she is. However, towards the end of the story I felt happier and confident because the little girl learns how to read and despite all the obstacles the main character faces, she learns how to read and proves her teacher and her classmates wrong. This is a picture book about a little girl that is 8 years old and her story about being in a school where the school transformed her. The school cut her hair, changed her name, and didn't allow her to speak her native language or participate in her native culture. The little girl wants to learn how to read. The little girl is also learning how to speak English, so reading in English is challenging. The nun at the school gives the little girl extra chores, and treats the little girl very poorly. The nun at the school will not allow the little girl to speak her Inut language, and the nun gave the little girl red stockings instead of black stockings like the other little girls. The nun clearly treats the little girl very differently from the other students.
This picture book made me really sad and angry because the teacher in the story treats the little girl different because of who she is. However, towards the end of the story I felt happier and confident because the little girl learns how to read and despite all the obstacles the main character faces, she learns how to read and proves her teacher and her classmates wrong. This is a picture book about a little girl that is 8 years old and her story about being in a school where the school transformed her. The school cut her hair, changed her name, and didn't allow her to speak her native language or participate in her native culture. The little girl wants to learn how to read. The little girl is also learning how to speak English, so reading in English is challenging. The nun at the school gives the little girl extra chores, and treats the little girl very poorly. The nun at the school will not allow the little girl to speak her Inut language, and the nun gave the little girl red stockings instead of black stockings like the other little girls. The nun clearly treats the little girl very differently from the other students.
November 10, 2019
The story book version of Fatty Legs, this is gentler, but still with a good understanding of persistence and courage helping you through.
November 19, 2020
Beautiful story of courage and overcoming injustice. This is the picture book version of Fatty Legs and now I definitely need to read that book!
November 25, 2021
Exceptional. Should be read in classrooms across North America & the world for that matter.
Want to read
October 18, 2018iglglf
December 1, 2019
Summary:
This book is a biography based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. It has some difficult words and phrases so it would be best suited for grades 3-5.
Olemaun is an eight year-old Inuit girl who wanted to be literate in English and attend school. However, she faces many challenges as she doesn’t have any English literacy foundation and is looked down-upon by both her classmates and her teacher. Despite all of these roadblocks, Olemaun learns to read and accomplishes her goals.
Ideas:
One activity I can use with this book is building a research project around Inuit people. Most students are likely unfamiliar with Inuit people and it would be a great learning opportunity for them. Before reading this book, I will have students research Inuit people and give mini-presentations. Then, I will read aloud for the whole class. Next, I will have students digest the book more in small literacy workshops, practicing graphic organizer skills with a character, setting, plot worksheet. Last, we will come back as a group to discuss the organizer.
Another activity that students can do along with this book is writing about types of books they like to read and books that they don’t like to read. Then they will give reasons and share with each other. We will brainstorm and discuss ways that reading can be more fun and less stressful both in the classroom and at home. These responses will be generated and recorded by students on a large poster that can be hung up in the classroom.
Why WOW?
I thought this book was a WOW book because it showed important character traits such as perseverance. In the classroom, this book can encourage students who need more support in reading to continue challenging themselves and persevere through reading. As students get older, their reading expectations get higher. Many students report a loss of interest in reading in older grades because they are overwhelmed by such expectations. So the content of this book can be interesting and even inspiring to some.
It also shares a perspective from an Inuit child which can bring many interesting classroom research and learning opportunities about Inuit people.
This book is a biography based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. It has some difficult words and phrases so it would be best suited for grades 3-5.
Olemaun is an eight year-old Inuit girl who wanted to be literate in English and attend school. However, she faces many challenges as she doesn’t have any English literacy foundation and is looked down-upon by both her classmates and her teacher. Despite all of these roadblocks, Olemaun learns to read and accomplishes her goals.
Ideas:
One activity I can use with this book is building a research project around Inuit people. Most students are likely unfamiliar with Inuit people and it would be a great learning opportunity for them. Before reading this book, I will have students research Inuit people and give mini-presentations. Then, I will read aloud for the whole class. Next, I will have students digest the book more in small literacy workshops, practicing graphic organizer skills with a character, setting, plot worksheet. Last, we will come back as a group to discuss the organizer.
Another activity that students can do along with this book is writing about types of books they like to read and books that they don’t like to read. Then they will give reasons and share with each other. We will brainstorm and discuss ways that reading can be more fun and less stressful both in the classroom and at home. These responses will be generated and recorded by students on a large poster that can be hung up in the classroom.
Why WOW?
I thought this book was a WOW book because it showed important character traits such as perseverance. In the classroom, this book can encourage students who need more support in reading to continue challenging themselves and persevere through reading. As students get older, their reading expectations get higher. Many students report a loss of interest in reading in older grades because they are overwhelmed by such expectations. So the content of this book can be interesting and even inspiring to some.
It also shares a perspective from an Inuit child which can bring many interesting classroom research and learning opportunities about Inuit people.
November 21, 2021
This Biography book was written in 2013 and is aimed more at elementary level it is a condensed version of Fatty legs and is about one students (Margaret Pokiak-Fenton) experience with a boarding school it would be a good introduction of Native American history and cultural differences.
November 1, 2017
When I Was Eight, written by Christy Jordan Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard, is a harrowing story of educational success despite the adversity that surrounded her. This book would be best for kids is grades kindergarten through first and does not have any awards even though it is surely deserving of one. The story starts with the Inuit girl Olemaun, who learned the ways of the Inuit with her family. Her sister constantly read to her, even though she desperately wanted to read herself. Her family would trade furs with a school around the corner from their location, and as Olemaun kept berating her father to let her go, he finally gave in. It becomes apparent this is a Catholic school with mean nuns who take away her “weird” name and give her the name Margaret. They tease Margaret for not being able to read and therefore give here menial chores rather than learning in the classroom. Margaret becomes defiant and starts standing up for herself finding any opportunity to learn words. When the nun tries to embarrass her in class, she reads her part perfectly and shows the nun that she means business.
This is another excellent book about a person neck deep in adversity, only to rise up against the odds and come out victorious. The illustrations are very detailed and human-like, giving it a realistic fell. There are also moment of subtlety in the illustrations, as the author never says it is a Christian school, but they show crosses around the necks of nuns. This is a very inspiring book that shows people should never give up on want they want. It does however paint a very negative picture on Catholicism, and it would be nice if they didn’t speak so negatively of such a widely accepted religion, but this very minor issue does not take away from the excellent storytelling and the even better origin of the tale. It can be basically be related to the tale of Cinderella even though the end goals were different and Margaret just wanted to read. I am certain that this book will be incorporated in my class for the reason that it also displays a character of different nationality that’s not often portrayed in books. One lesson for this book could be comparing and contrasting this story with other stories and using a Venn diagram to show the differences. The second activity can be to tell of any personal stories you or someone you know had in which they had to overcome someone or something.
This is another excellent book about a person neck deep in adversity, only to rise up against the odds and come out victorious. The illustrations are very detailed and human-like, giving it a realistic fell. There are also moment of subtlety in the illustrations, as the author never says it is a Christian school, but they show crosses around the necks of nuns. This is a very inspiring book that shows people should never give up on want they want. It does however paint a very negative picture on Catholicism, and it would be nice if they didn’t speak so negatively of such a widely accepted religion, but this very minor issue does not take away from the excellent storytelling and the even better origin of the tale. It can be basically be related to the tale of Cinderella even though the end goals were different and Margaret just wanted to read. I am certain that this book will be incorporated in my class for the reason that it also displays a character of different nationality that’s not often portrayed in books. One lesson for this book could be comparing and contrasting this story with other stories and using a Venn diagram to show the differences. The second activity can be to tell of any personal stories you or someone you know had in which they had to overcome someone or something.
January 3, 2016
I received an electronic ARC of this book from NetGalley.
This book is the story of Olemaun, an Inuit girl who is eight years old. She knows many things about her world - how to keep the sled dogs quiet, and that the "sun slept in the winter and woke in the summer." But she does not know how to read "the outsiders' books." Olemaun wants to go to school like her older sister. Although her father does not want her to go, Olemaun finally wears down her father and the next spring she stays at the school.
School is not like she thought it would be. Her braids are cut off, and she is made to wear a "thin pinafore and scratchy underwear." Her name is also taken; she is now called Margaret. She is made to work - scrubbing floors, walls, dishes and laundry. When she finally is allowed in a classroom, she is made to stand in the corner for imitating the actions of the other girls because she does not understand enough English to understand the directions.
A mean nun gives Margaret extra chores for small infractions. She even is locked in a cold, black cellar.
Nothing keeps her from her goal of learning to read. Every opportunity she has, she uses to learn. If she is told to erase the blackboard, she studies the letters before she erases them. Even whem locked in the basement, she spends the time sounding out and spelling the comforting words of home.
At the end the nun is upset at Margaret because she has "lost" her stockings. Intent on shaming her, the nun requires that Margaret read from the reader of the older girls, but Margaret has learned how to read. Slowly, with growing confidence, Margaret successfully reads aloud the passage the nun assigned. She is quietly triumphant!
This book is a picture book adaptation of Fatty Legs: A True Story.
I really enjoyed this book. It would be a great addition to a unit on injustice. It could be paired with Baseball Saved Us. Although this is a picture book, it probably would be better used with older students unless the children had background knowledge of Indian Residential Schools or other parts of Inuit life. It would make a great addition to a study of Inuit history and culture.
This book is the story of Olemaun, an Inuit girl who is eight years old. She knows many things about her world - how to keep the sled dogs quiet, and that the "sun slept in the winter and woke in the summer." But she does not know how to read "the outsiders' books." Olemaun wants to go to school like her older sister. Although her father does not want her to go, Olemaun finally wears down her father and the next spring she stays at the school.
School is not like she thought it would be. Her braids are cut off, and she is made to wear a "thin pinafore and scratchy underwear." Her name is also taken; she is now called Margaret. She is made to work - scrubbing floors, walls, dishes and laundry. When she finally is allowed in a classroom, she is made to stand in the corner for imitating the actions of the other girls because she does not understand enough English to understand the directions.
A mean nun gives Margaret extra chores for small infractions. She even is locked in a cold, black cellar.
Nothing keeps her from her goal of learning to read. Every opportunity she has, she uses to learn. If she is told to erase the blackboard, she studies the letters before she erases them. Even whem locked in the basement, she spends the time sounding out and spelling the comforting words of home.
At the end the nun is upset at Margaret because she has "lost" her stockings. Intent on shaming her, the nun requires that Margaret read from the reader of the older girls, but Margaret has learned how to read. Slowly, with growing confidence, Margaret successfully reads aloud the passage the nun assigned. She is quietly triumphant!
This book is a picture book adaptation of Fatty Legs: A True Story.
I really enjoyed this book. It would be a great addition to a unit on injustice. It could be paired with Baseball Saved Us. Although this is a picture book, it probably would be better used with older students unless the children had background knowledge of Indian Residential Schools or other parts of Inuit life. It would make a great addition to a study of Inuit history and culture.
July 10, 2016
In an attempt to educate the reader about the abuses suffered by aboriginal children in the residential school system the authors have created a new form of discrimination. The nun in this story is illustrated and described to resemble a fairy-tale witch, even going so far as to cackle in the text. Several times the crucifix she wears is prominently displayed while doing something awful. This disrespectful representation of a religious group as a whole makes this a poor choice to use with students. Based on a true story, Olemaun was definitely mistreated by a nun. However this story seems to suggests to small children that nun and witch are one and the same.
After having read Fatty Legs a reader can recognize that the author actually means to refer to the nun as the “raven” due to her angular lines and beak like nose, which may explain the depiction of her in this book. However, in this book, which is targeted at an audience too young to read Fatty Legs this is not explained at all. Without that understanding the portrayal is exactly as you would expect to see the “The Wicked Queen” in Snow White, “The Witch” in Hansel and Gretel and so forth.
This is an oversimplification of a complex situation and the demonization of a religious group as a whole for the actions of a few is highly inappropriate. Rather than creating an environment of healing and understanding this book opens the door for children to harbor fear and hatred of catholic people, which could lead to bullying in a classroom. This kind of attitude cannot be allowed in a healthy learning environment. If the kind nun who was given a passing mention had played a larger roll in the story, demonstrating that nuns themselves are not evil, rather some people are evil, this book would have been a moving and painful story.
The authors have written Olemaun’s story for older children in the novel Fatty Legs and A Stranger at Home, which are a far better choice than this one or Not my girl.
After having read Fatty Legs a reader can recognize that the author actually means to refer to the nun as the “raven” due to her angular lines and beak like nose, which may explain the depiction of her in this book. However, in this book, which is targeted at an audience too young to read Fatty Legs this is not explained at all. Without that understanding the portrayal is exactly as you would expect to see the “The Wicked Queen” in Snow White, “The Witch” in Hansel and Gretel and so forth.
This is an oversimplification of a complex situation and the demonization of a religious group as a whole for the actions of a few is highly inappropriate. Rather than creating an environment of healing and understanding this book opens the door for children to harbor fear and hatred of catholic people, which could lead to bullying in a classroom. This kind of attitude cannot be allowed in a healthy learning environment. If the kind nun who was given a passing mention had played a larger roll in the story, demonstrating that nuns themselves are not evil, rather some people are evil, this book would have been a moving and painful story.
The authors have written Olemaun’s story for older children in the novel Fatty Legs and A Stranger at Home, which are a far better choice than this one or Not my girl.
March 14, 2013
This is a lovely new picture book version of Fatty Legs that will share Olemaun’s story with younger readers than the original chapter book. It follows Olemaun from her time with her nomadic family through her attending the “outsider’s school.” There her hair is chopped short and her warm parka is replaced with thin and scratchy clothing. Her name is even changed to Margaret. Margaret wants most to learn to read, but the school is much more interested in getting the children to work hard rather than teaching them. Margaret has a difficult relationship with one nun in particular who makes a point of humiliating her regularly. In the end though, Margaret does learn to read all on her own.
This is a story that works really well as a picture book. I really enjoyed both Fatty Legs and A Stranger at Home that were chapter books, but this younger version simplifies the story and keeps its quiet power. As with the earlier books, I remain in awe at the strength that it took for Margaret to survive in the school and also the courage it takes to keep on telling her story.
Grimard’s illustrations echo the beauty of the Arctic but also capture the dullness and darkness of the school. The nun character radiates scorn and anger on every page she appears in. Margaret is shown usually isolated, but also as radiant in her resiliency.
A powerful look at residential schools on Native populations, this picture book version belongs in most libraries. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
This is a story that works really well as a picture book. I really enjoyed both Fatty Legs and A Stranger at Home that were chapter books, but this younger version simplifies the story and keeps its quiet power. As with the earlier books, I remain in awe at the strength that it took for Margaret to survive in the school and also the courage it takes to keep on telling her story.
Grimard’s illustrations echo the beauty of the Arctic but also capture the dullness and darkness of the school. The nun character radiates scorn and anger on every page she appears in. Margaret is shown usually isolated, but also as radiant in her resiliency.
A powerful look at residential schools on Native populations, this picture book version belongs in most libraries. Appropriate for ages 6-9.
November 22, 2017
This is a story about one girl's experience at a residential school. A little heart wrenching to read, but also triumphant.
July 26, 2013
An autobiographical account of the author's childhood adapted for children from the book Fatty Legs. When Olemaun was eight, she convinced her father to let her leave their Inuit island and travel far away to the outsiders' school so she could learn to read. Victorious, Olemaun arrives at school ready to learn. Things are not easy for her, however. The nuns take away her native clothes, replacing them with an ill-fitting uniform. They rename her Margaret and order her to do chores. When she makes an enemy of her stern nun of a teacher, Margaret wonders if she will ever be allowed to learn to read. But her determination is stronger than all the things thrown at her, and in the end she teaches herself.
This is a wonderful story about the importance of education, as well as perseverance in the face of obstacles. I found myself worrying and cheering right along with Olemaun. Because of the cultural and historical references, some children may require a little extra explanation from adults to help them understand the context of the story and the significance of Olemaun's achievements. Would make a good companion to lessons on the culture and history of the Inuits. May also make a nice library read-aloud due to its emphasis on the power of reading.
This is a wonderful story about the importance of education, as well as perseverance in the face of obstacles. I found myself worrying and cheering right along with Olemaun. Because of the cultural and historical references, some children may require a little extra explanation from adults to help them understand the context of the story and the significance of Olemaun's achievements. Would make a good companion to lessons on the culture and history of the Inuits. May also make a nice library read-aloud due to its emphasis on the power of reading.
September 5, 2015
Olemaun is eight when she convinces her father to send her to the outsiders’ school. What Olemaun wants more than anything is to be able to read like her older sister. Reluctantly, her family lets her go. Instead of the education she expects to receive, Olemaun is put to work doing physical labor with the other girls. One of the nuns is particularly cruel to her – at one point locking her in the cellar. Olemaun (now called “Margaret”) is able to overcome all of these obstacles and learn to read. “I felt a great happiness inside that I dared not show. I quietly took my seat. I was Olemaun, conqueror of evil, reader of books. I was a girl who traveled to a strange and faraway land to stand against a tyrant, like Alice. And like Alice, I was brave, clever, and as unyielding as the strong stone that sharpens an ulu.”
A moving story of Margaret’s childhood experiences. Readers will be incensed on Margaret’s behalf at the abuse she suffered both from the nuns, who should have been her protectors and caretakers, and the other children, who should have been her allies. The characters really come to life in Gabrielle Grimard’s bright and colorful illustrations – particularly stubborn Margaret and her determination!
A moving story of Margaret’s childhood experiences. Readers will be incensed on Margaret’s behalf at the abuse she suffered both from the nuns, who should have been her protectors and caretakers, and the other children, who should have been her allies. The characters really come to life in Gabrielle Grimard’s bright and colorful illustrations – particularly stubborn Margaret and her determination!
December 29, 2015
This adaptation of Jordan-Fenton’s novel Fatty Legs is a semi-autobiographical account of the author’s experiences as a child in a residential school. Although made gentler for young audiences, Olemaun’s story is a deeply painful one – a story of separation, neglect, cultural destruction, and abuse, but it is also a story of strength, determination, and hope. In a particularly heartbreaking twist on the residential school story, Olemaun actually begs her father to allow her to go to the school, believing that the “outsiders” will teach her to read. Instead she faces an almost unending series of attacks, both physical and psychological, not only from the nuns running the school but from the other students, as well. It takes all of Olemaun’s inner strength not to lose her sense of self or her dream or reading. When I Was Eight is an important story, beautifully presented, that should be shared with children in a supportive environment- children will likely have questions about Olemaun and her experiences, and this information needs to be shared in a sensitive and respectful way. This would be perfect as part of Canadian history studies or a unit on residential schools or Aboriginal history. Beautiful, and highly recommended.
November 18, 2017
What an honor it was to hear Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton at a conference recently. Having read "Fatty Legs," I was curious to read the story adapted for younger children. How important that eight-year-olds can read what it was like for eight-year-old Margaret.
July 27, 2015
This book made me stop and think about how important it is to appreciate the little things, especially when life is difficult. When I Was Eight is based on the true life experiences of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, a small girl born in the arctic, whose only dream was to learn to read Alice In Wonderland like her older sister.
When she finally talks her father into letting her attend a catholic school in the town where they trade, she finds school daunting. One of the nuns cuts of her hair, changes her name, demands hours of tiring chores from her, and demeans her at every turn, but Margaret is determined to learn to read no matter what. Against the odds, Margaret teaches herself to read and gains an ember of self confidence that even the cruel nun can not douse.
Although a very serious book with some dark moments, I think children are bright enough to take away the same messages I took away. Don't let anyone crush your dreams. Don't let difficult circumstances keep you from achieving. And, stand up for yourself!
When she finally talks her father into letting her attend a catholic school in the town where they trade, she finds school daunting. One of the nuns cuts of her hair, changes her name, demands hours of tiring chores from her, and demeans her at every turn, but Margaret is determined to learn to read no matter what. Against the odds, Margaret teaches herself to read and gains an ember of self confidence that even the cruel nun can not douse.
Although a very serious book with some dark moments, I think children are bright enough to take away the same messages I took away. Don't let anyone crush your dreams. Don't let difficult circumstances keep you from achieving. And, stand up for yourself!
February 7, 2013
This is a good book to show that perseverance and determination pay off. Olemaun is just like many 8 year old kids, and wants what she wants right now. She doesn't listen to her father when he tries to disuade her, and eventually does get her wish to attend school and to learn how to read. But this school is not what she expected, she is not treated very nicely by the Nuns at this school. The treatment that Olemaun receives could very well frighten kids who have sensitive hearts. But in the end I think the message that if you put your mind to something and just put your head down and keep working for it. You can achieve your goal is a good message. Also as a hidden message for kids, listen to your parents, if they try and tell you that you wont like something the really might know what they are talking about.
This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley. The rating, review, and all opinions are my own
This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley. The rating, review, and all opinions are my own
June 18, 2013
Young Olemaun knew a lot of things pertinent to her daily life in a frozen world. But she didn't know how to read and this one thing was her greatest desire. She wanted it so badly that she begged her father to send her to the Outsiders school. He knew it wasn't the best place for her but he finally gave in to her wishes and left her with the nuns. So many changes happened then, she lost her hair and her name to these strangers. She was worked to the bone doing every chore imaginable, but she never was taught to read. Not to be discouraged, Margaret began to teach herself. When the nuns realized her unbending resolution they gave in and she eventually learned to read. This inspiring picture book is a biography of a tough little girl who knew what she wanted in life and worked hard for it. The illustrator does a fabulous job of conveying feelings and emotions that correspond with the story. This is a simplified version of the author's autobiography, "Fatty Legs".
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