Children's Fiction Native Canadian
Not My Girl
- Publisher
- Annick Press
- Initial publish date
- Feb 2014
- Category
- Native Canadian
- Recommended Age
- 6 to 9
- Recommended Grade
- 1 to 4
- Recommended Reading age
- 6 to 9
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9781554516261
- Publish Date
- Feb 2014
- List Price
- $7.99
-
Downloadable audio file
- ISBN
- 9781773215228
- Publish Date
- Mar 2021
- List Price
- $14.99
-
Hardback
- ISBN
- 9781554516254
- Publish Date
- Jan 2014
- List Price
- $21.95
-
Paperback / softback
- ISBN
- 9781554516247
- Publish Date
- Jan 2014
- List Price
- $9.95
Classroom Resources
Where to buy it
Description
Two years ago, Margaret left her Arctic home for the outsiders' school. Now she has returned and can barely contain her excitement as she rushes towards her waiting family -- but her mother stands still as a stone. This strange, skinny child, with her hair cropped short, can't be her daughter. "Not my girl!" she says angrily.
Margaret's years at school have changed her. Now ten years old, she has forgotten her language and the skills to hunt and fish. She can't even stomach her mother's food. Her only comfort is in the books she learned to read at school.
Gradually, Margaret relearns the words and ways of her people. With time, she earns her father's trust enough to be given a dogsled of her own. As her family watches with pride, Margaret knows she has found her place once more.
Based on the true story of Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, and complemented by evocative illustrations, Not My Girl makes the original, award-winning memoir, A Stranger at Home, accessible to younger children. It is also a sequel to the picture book When I Was Eight. A poignant story of a determined young girl's struggle to belong, it will both move and inspire readers everywhere.
About the authors
Christy Jordan-Fenton vit à Fort St. John, en Colombie-Britannique, Margaret Pokiak-Fenton est sa belle-mère.
Christy Jordan-Fenton
has been an infantry soldier, a pipeline laborer, a survival instructor,
and a bare back bronco rider. Christy has also worked with street children.
She was born just outside Rimbey, Alberta, and has lived in Australia,
South Africa, and the United States. She now lives near Fort St. John,
British Columbia. Christy works with her mother in law, Margaret
Pokiak-Fenton, to write stories.
Christy Jordan-Fenton's profile page
MARGARET POKIAK-FENTON a passé son enfance sur l’Île Banks dans l’océan Arctique. Elle a écrit Étrangère chez moi, Les bas du pensionnat et Quand j’avais huit ans. Margaret est décédée en 2021.
MARGARET POKIAK-FENTON was an author, Inuvialiut knowledge keeper, and residential school survivor. Along with her daughter-in-law, she wrote Étrangère chez moi, Les bas du pensionnat, and Quand j'avais huit ans. The books have garnered more than twenty awards and distinctions, including being placed on the Canadian Children’s Book Centre’s Best Books for Kids & Teens list.
Librarian Reviews
Not My Girl
After two years away from home at a residential school, Margaret returns to her Arctic home only to find that she no longer fits in.Knowing how to read, write, and add numbers does not impress Margaret’s family when she returns to her Arctic home. Margaret is now an outsider and must re-learn the ways of her family (language, food, and behaviour). When using this sequel to When I Was Eight, teachers and students can discuss the themes of loss, family, and belonging.
Also available: When I Was Eight by Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
Source: Association of Canadian Publishers. Top Grade Selection 2016.
