74 pages • 2 hours read
Margaret Pokiak-FentonFatty Legs: A True Story
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Middle Grade | Published in 2010A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Fatty Legs by Margaret Pokiak-Fenton recounts her childhood experience in a Canadian residential school for Indigenous children, where she faced intimidation, humiliation, and abuse, but ultimately triumphed through resilience. The title refers to a nickname given to her after a nun made her wear bright red stockings as an act of cruelty. The book illustrates anti-Indigenous racism and the perseverance of Indigenous cultures amidst colonial efforts to erase them. Topics in the book include intimidation, humiliation, and cultural oppression.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Fatty Legs by Margaret Pokiak-Fenton has garnered positive acclaim for its heartfelt and eye-opening portrayal of a young Inuit girl's experience in a residential school. Reviewers commend its accessible writing and powerful illustrations. Some find it emotionally intense, while a few note a desire for deeper historical context. Overall, it's a poignant, educational read.
Who Should Read Fatty Legs?
Readers aged 9-12 who are interested in historical fiction and social justice will appreciate Fatty Legs by Margaret Pokiak-Fenton. Fans of The Breadwinner by Deborah Ellis and I Am Malala (young readers edition) by Malala Yousafzai will find its themes of resilience and courage compelling.