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)

Add a Rating

This book is great. It is filled with love. A lot awful and great things happen there. This girl looses her family. Now she lives alone in a island far away from everything. She finds a pet and a friend from the enemies. She has a loving heart.

If you haven't read the book yet don't read the comments below!!

it was so sad because her brother and all her tribe died. she found a loyal companion who was the best dog in the world. She survived.

I had to read this book for an essay i had to do last year. I read this book about 3 more times after. It was really a book that i enjoyed from front cover to back cover.

I love the author's perspective in this book. It is realistic fiction, based on a real nonfiction story of a young woman surviving on her own. So descriptive I could SEE everything she experienced.

I had to read this book for a report last year. This a very descriptive and well written book. My favorite character in the book is Karana mostly because of how brave and courageous she is. It also shows some hints of Native American cultures and traditions. This book is sad but apart from that its a great book and one of my favorites.

I literally (spoiler alert) sobbed when her brother was killed by the wild dogs!

I love this book. It is about a young native american girl living on an island 70 miles off the shore of southern Ca. Her village soon decides to leave the island, but Karana ( the young girl ) is left behind. Anyways, I really recommend this book for everyone!

island of the blue dolphins was a grerat book. it showes servivel and freindship. theres a young gril named krana ad she 18 years has to survive alone with a wild dog its a great book

char1234 char1234

I loved this book! Dogs and people make the best friends!

Show More