Not My Girl

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By 1884 it was compulsory for the First Nations children of Canada to attend either a day or residential school. The "Indian residential schools" were mostly active from 1876 through the middle of the 1900's, and "educated" over 150,000 children. Always controversial, the modern consensus is that the schools, on balance, did great harm - stripping the children of family and cultural connections and estranging them from their native languages in the name of civilization and assimilation. Since 2008 multiple apologies have been issued by those who funded, supported and operated the schools.All of this stands as background to the story of Margaret Pokiak, who was delivered to a residential school as an eight year old and returned to her home and family two years later as an almost unrecognizable stranger. Margaret's story does does not cast her as an Oliver Twist in a Dickensian institution. The school is referred to only obliquely and there is no description of her routine at the school. The book begins exactly at the time of her return home and describes in plain and moving prose the difficulty, struggle and emotional turmoil she experienced trying to truly return.This part of Margaret's story was first told by this author in  A Stranger At Home: A True Story . That book was published in 2011; it ran to over 125 pages, was basically a prose memoir with photos and artwork, and was aimed at readers in the 9 to 12 year range. "Not My Girl" is intended for a younger, (say, 6 to 9 year old), audience and is a condensed version of the story, supplemented strikingly and effectively with touching and emotionally resonant new artwork. "Not My Girl" retains the power and authenticity of the earlier work while succeeding in making the story accessible to younger readers.This is a stunning and timely testimony, without bitterness or blame, but with a clear and plain statement of the wrong that was done. It ends on a strong, hopeful and affirmative note, which may not be entirely realistic but does seem to me to be appropriate for the book's audience of younger readers.So, a calm but compelling story of the importance of family, friends, and society, told with restraint and elegance and not a single false or overwrought note. What a nice find.Please know that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.

Ten year old Margaret is on a boat eagerly coming home to reunite with her family. She has been away for a long, lonely two years in an outsider school and she can't wait to see her family and friends again in her native village of Aklavik. On her arrival she jumps off the boat and meets a mother who is standing as still as a statue. Margaret's heart nearly stops when she hears her mother say?"That's not my girl." You see Margaret's hair has been shorn, and she is very thin and emaciated looking very unlike the happy, healthy girl that had left her home two years before. Margaret is shocked by her mother's words and turns away with her eyes full of tears. "Not my girl!" rang out again like the slap of a ruler on a desk." She tenses to run but finds her broken self being caught up in her father's warm embrace. He tenderly calls her by her native name, Olemaun and then to her delight she feels her mother's arms around her too....giving her the assurance she is welcome back to her home and her family.The assimilation is very, very hard. She has forgotten her own language and finds her mother's food unappealing. She has trouble with the daily skills and the tasks she is to perform to help out her family. Her best friend is forbidden to play with her because she attended the outside school. Even the family dogs snarl at her and repel her because she has lost her familiar scent. She finds solace only in the books that she can now read and the manners she has adapted. Finally, her dad, full of love and wisdom, gives her the key to once again being accepted and able to live not as an outsider any more, but as an insider once again.This book is a true biography and the painted illustrations are beautiful to behold. The colour pallet is rich and portrays perfectly the dramatic scenery of northern Canada, especially the spectacular sky colours of the aurora borealis.This is a heartwarming book of acceptance and the vital importance of family relationships. Kinships so strong that the bonds established go on from generation to generation. I highly recommend this book.This book is the sequel to "When I Was Eight." Both books will move your heart.

This is truly a beautiful story. Margaret grew up in the arctic. She was sent away to a private school where her life was very different. She was taught by nuns and learned English, French and manners. When she returned home to Aklavik many things had changed. Margaret had grown up. She was only ten years old but private school had made her grow up quickly. She was polished and refined. She forgot some of the customs and native language. Her family especially her Mom had a very difficult time accepting the new Margaret. She didn't recognize Margaret. She cut Margaret to the core when she said, "Not my girl."Margaret is sad and doesn't feel as if she belongs anymore. Everything felt so different and alien. Even her best friend, Agnes who attended the same school isn't allowed to play with her. Her parents didn't want her playing with children from school. Like Margaret's Mom her parents were also upset.As the story continues, Margaret begins to fit it. She tries to gut a fish. She nurses a puppy back to health and even commands her own team of sled dogs. It takes time for Margaret to fit in but soon her family realizes that she is still Margaret.The Illustrations are absolutely beautiful. Illustrator, Gabrielle Grimard did an excellent job telling the story through pictures. To Christy and Margaret Fenton job well done!!http://childrenbookzone.blogspot.com/2014/07/not-my-girl.html

The premise was fascinating but intimidating, so I read this by myself. I didn't want to read it for the first time I. front of my children. So glad I did that! Cried every page. And I'm not a crier.The story is just so moving. It's completely relatable for any child or parent. Not disturbing, just really meaningful. And (spoiler alert) it ends well, but one can see how much emotional work families had to and still have to do to get there.Read it to 10 and 5 year olds, and my 12 year old read it to herself. Definitely took some explaining for the 5 year old, but I'm confident they a got something out of it.

I bought this to read to my daycare leading up to truth and reconciliation day- the story really helped explain why we are trying to make amends; my big kids read it as well (ages 14-10) and it facilitated more in depth conversation around the topic of residential schools.A really good book for all ages.Beautifully written and illustrated.

A moving and informative book that's written in a way children can understand. Every family should read this series

Real kid friendly story that talks about how a child reconnected to her family after coming home from residential school.

Great addition to my collection of indigenous history! Amazing to have their voices finally heard!