Island of the Blue Dolphins

Island of the Blue Dolphins

By Scott O'Dell

127 ratings 184 reviews 216 followers
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 4 - 8Grades 10 - 9V5.440531

Far off the coast of California looms a harsh rock known as the island of San Nicholas. Dolphins flash in the blue waters around it, sea otter play in the vast kep beds, and sea elephants loll on the stony beaches.

Here, in the early 1800s, according to history, an Indian girl spent eighteen years alone, and this beautifully written novel is her story. It is a romantic adventure filled with drama and heartache, for not only was mere subsistence on so desolate a spot a near miracle, but Karana had to contend with the ferocious pack of wild dogs that had killed her younger brother, constantly guard against the Aleutian sea otter hunters, and maintain a precarious food supply.

More than this, it is an adventure of the spirit that will haunt the reader long after the book has been put down. Karana's quiet courage, her Indian self-reliance and acceptance of fate, transform what to many would have been a devastating ordeal into an uplifting experience. From loneliness and terror come strength and serenity in this Newbery Medal-winning classic.

Publisher: PUFFIN
ISBN-13: 9780141368627
ISBN-10: 0141368624
Published on 7/7/2016
Binding: Paperback

Book Reviews (181)

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I read this book in second grade, and literally fell asleep:] It was really sad though :{ Yet a sorta good book in some places

Gina Samli Gina Samli

this is so awesome i thought it was the best and i totally reccomed this! i hope you love this as well

violin2001 violin2001

This book has been sitting on my shelf for a long time before I read it. I didn't know how much I was missing out. It is a lovely page-turning book about an indian who's tribe sailed away from this island they were living but left her behind. She goes through many hardships and friendships and deaths. I recommend this book for anyone who loves adventure stories or sad stories. Happy reading!

KYRA KYRA

WHEN I READ THIS BOOK I COUNDND PUT IT DOWN. I AM NOW READIMG ZIA IT IS TYHE SAME THING I LUV IT.

this book is a sad story but at the end everything turns out fine I love this book so do my friends!!!!! :) :) :) :) :) :)

looks nice i want to read it......i love dolphins cause thier sooooo cute.. my fav animal is a dolphin....wish i can see one

I love this book because, it is a sad story about Karana and how she survives on the Island with Rontu, Rontu-Aru, and her birds.

this book is really, really good book because there is so much action but sometimes its sad because so many people die

I hate this book !While most people probably have to read it in class it's horrible. There is no action and even the movie is better. I do NOT recommend!

This book is so good, I liked this book because it is based on a true story and is about native amricans too.

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