Phyllis's Orange Shirt &

The Orange Shirt Story 

By Phyllis Webstad

The same story written for different level readers. A story of an excited little girl and her bright orange shirt on her first day at residential school. This is both Phyllis Webstad's true story and the story behind Orange Shirt Day. Grades K-1 & 2-4.

Phyllis's Orange Shirt (K-1): YouTube Read Along

The Orange Shirt Story (2-4): Audio Book ($)

When We Were Alone

By David A. Robertson

When We Were Alone follows the shared memories of a grandmother with a curious grandchild. The grandmother gives her granddaughter glimpses into her time at the residential school and how that time impacts how she lives her life now. An easy reader for younger children. Grades K-3

YouTube Read Along

When I Was Eight &

Fatty Legs: A True Story

By Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

The same story written for different level readers. Olemaun's desire to learn to read leads her to a residential school, where she is renamed Margaret, forced to cut her hair and isn't taught to read. However, Margaret overcomes the challenges of residential school and escapes into the pages of her favourite book. Grades K-4 & 4-8

When I was Eight (K-4): YouTube Read Along

Fatty Legs (4-8): Audible through Amazon ($)

Stolen Words

By Melanie Florence

When his granddaughter asks questions about the Cree language, this grandfather is forced to face the consequences of his residential school experience. Sharing his story with her brings them closer together and this lovely granddaughter helps him reconnect with his Cree language, bringing back the words that were stolen so many years ago. Grades 1-3

YouTube Read Along

As Long As the River Flows

By Larry Loyie

The beautiful story of the summer before Larry must leave his Cree community for residential school. Larry’s summer is filled with family and adventures of a child enjoying the land where he lives. Sadly, the ending of the book is his departure for residential school, when Larry’s life changes forever. Grade 4+

YouTube Read Along

Not My Girl &

A Stranger At Home: A True Story

By Christy Jordan-Fenton & Margaret Pokiak-Fenton

The same story written for different level readers and sequels to When I was Eight and Fatty Legs. This story depicts the struggles Olemeun faces as she attempts to rediscover her place within her Inuit community and her family after being apart from them for two years. 

Not My Girl (K-4): YouTube Read Along

A Stranger At Home (4-8): Audible through Amazon ($)

I Am Not A Number

By Dr. Jenny Kay Dupuis & Kathy Kacer

The true story of the author’s grandmother’s harrowing experience when she and her brothers were taken from their community of Nipissing First Nation to live at a Canadian Residential School in 1928. Grades 4-7

YouTube Read Along

Sugar Falls: A Residential School Story

By David A. Robertson

Sugar Falls is a powerful introduction to the realities and impacts of residential schools on Indigenous Canadians. Based on the true story of Betty Ross and her lived experiences, told through the pages of a graphic novel. This book addresses the harsh realities of physical and psychological abuses and the long-term negative impacts that residential schools had on these children. Grades 7+

Hardcopy through Amazon