74 pages • 2 hours read
Fatty Legs: A True Story
A 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.
Book Brief
Fatty Legs
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Middle Grade | Published in 2010112
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Canada • 1940s
2010
Middle grade
9-12 years
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.
Challenging
Inspirational
Emotional
Mysterious
Hopeful
Reviews & Readership
3,724 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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.
3,724 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Christy Jordan-Fenton
Christy Jordan-Fenton
Margaret-Olemaun's daughter-in-law, who collaborates with her to tell the story and provides context on the cultural and historical background, including insights into the Canadian residential school system.
Margaret-Olemaun’s Father
Margaret-Olemaun’s Father
A supportive and comforting figure who shares a close bond with Olemaun, allowing her to attend school despite his reservations and maintaining contact during her stays.
The Raven
The Raven
A strict and cruel nun at the residential school who frequently punishes Margaret-Olemaun and enforces conformity and silence, becoming one of her main antagonists.
Sister MacQuillan (The Swan)
Sister MacQuillan (The Swan)
A high-ranking nun at the school who shows kindness and understanding towards Margaret-Olemaun, offering moments of support and protection.
112
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
Canada • 1940s
2010
Middle grade
9-12 years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.