A review by bookdragon_library
When I Was Eight by Margaret Pokiak-Fenton, Christy Jordan-Fenton

5.0

This is a great picture book based on the true story of one of the authors attending residential school. The illustrations are beautiful with a watercolor feel to them. There are so many messages within the story that can be taught not just about native American history but the power to read and the desire to be able to read. Margaret goes through a lot of terrible things so that she can accomplish her goal of being able to read and she is determined and Rightfully proud when she achieves her goal basically all on her own because she had no support from the nun at school. It is unclear to me why she seems like she was singled out above the other girls in tasks being a little harsher than anyone else but it might describe that more in the actual memoir Fatty Legs which I haven’t read yet. This is definitely a book that would be good in a biography section or an American history section even though this particular story is in Canada.