A Stranger at Home

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 September 1, 2011 by Annick Press. The book follows Margaret Pokiak's experience of returning home to her family after living at a residential school for two years.

A Stranger at Home
First edition
AuthorChristy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
LanguageEnglish
SubjectCanadian Indian residential school system
GenreMemoir
PublisherAnnick Press
Publication date
September 1, 2011
Media typePrint, Audio
Pages112
ISBN9781554513611
Preceded byFatty Legs 

A 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.[1] The four books "have sold more than a quarter of a million copies and collected over 20 awards and distinctions."[1]

Plot

At 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. While at the school, she was unable to speak her language or connect to her culture in any way.

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. Although she is thrilled to return home, her mother doesn't recognize the person she has become and angrily yells, "Not my girl!"[2]

Over time, Margaret readjusted to life at home with her family and community.

Reception

A Stranger at Home received a positive review from Kirkus Reviews, who noted, "Olemaun's spirit and determination shine through this moving memoir."[3]

The Ontario Library Association included A Stranger at Home on their annual Best Bets List,[4] and the Canadian Children's Book Centre named it one of the best books for kids and teens.[5]

Awards for A Stranger at Home
Year Award Result Ref.
2012 Independent Publishers Book Award Winner [6]
International Youth Library's White Ravens Collection Selection [7]
Next Generation Indie Book Awards for Children's/Juvenile Nonfiction Finalist [8]
Skipping Stones Book Award Honor [9][10]
USBBY Outstanding International Books Selection [11]
VOYA Nonfiction Honor List Selection [9]

References
  1. "Rediscover: Margaret-Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton". Shelf Awareness. 2021-06-11. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  2. "Not My Girl". CBC. 2021-06-07. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  3. "A Stranger at Home". Kirkus Reviews. 2011-09-21. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  4. "A Stranger at Home". Annick Press. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  5. "A Stranger at Home". Annick Press. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  6. "2012 Medalists". Independet Publisher Book Awards. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  7. "A stranger at home. A true story". The White Ravens Database. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  8. "2012 Winners". Next Generation Indie Book Awards. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  9. "A Stranger at Home". Annick Press. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  10. "Skipping Stones Honor Awards, 1994-2021". TeachingBooks. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
  11. "2012 USBBY Outstanding International Books" (PDF). United States Board on Books for Young People. Retrieved 2022-03-19.
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