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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bocchinor1409 bocchinor1409

I would recommend this to a friend because of the thrilling, chilling, and sad parts. If your friend is a survivalist, they would like this book too.

Zoedancer1019 Zoedancer1019

After reading the book Island of the Blue Dolphins I think it changed my life and I would really recommend reading it. I also think it's hard to believe it's a true story. Lastly I think Karana is a very tough character and never gives up and hi purplepower9!

PurpleParidice9 PurpleParidice9

Island of the Blue Dolphins is a great book, it teaches you about survival, there are many different twists, and Scott O'dell (the author) makes it very easy to visualize. I would recommend it.

CookieGal9 CookieGal9

Island of the Blue dolphins is a book when a 12 year old gets stranded on an island and her friends and family die her and her brother stay on the island and her brother gets killed by wild dogas that karana later befriends she meets bird friends and learns to survive on her own with limited resources

squrtis 9 squrtis 9

island of the blue dolphins is one of my favorite books of all time i recommend this book for everyone because it is touching. it has lots of cute things. the author made the book good. it has lots of action packed scenes.

Lil Crazy9 Lil Crazy9

Island of the Blue Dolphins is a great book of history and survival. I recommend it 100 percent! Loved it! LOVED IT! Gonna read it again!

Bebe9 Bebe9

Island of the Blue Dolphins is an amazing book. It is a mixture of loneliness, despair, survival and friendship. Karana, the main character loses so much but in the end she ends up with a whole new family. The book Island of the Blue Dolphins teaches a lot of life lessons such as perseverance, care for nature and determination.

AwesomeBruin9 AwesomeBruin9

This book is an amazing book. It is action packed and thrilling. Has many historical things and is based on a true story. You should read it. _AwesomeBruin9

purplepower9 purplepower9

I would definitely recommend Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell. I loved it. I think it's cool how Karana has to survive on her own for a super long time. I like learning about the way they lived on the Island of the Blue Dolphins because they couldn't go to the store. I like how she had lots of animal friends.

dog9 dog9

I would recommend this book. These are my reasons.The book is very touching. Scott O'Dell helps you visualize a picture in your head. The book has a lot of action.

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