Island of the Blue Dolphins

Karana - the only human on the
  island but she is not alone --
Animals soon become her family.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

O'Dell, Scott Island of the Blue Dolphins. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin. 1960.

ISBN 0395069629

Scott O'Dell

PLOT SUMMARY:

Scott O’Dell takes the reader on a journey to a small island, that “is two leagues long and one league wide,” off the coast of California. When the Aleuts sea hunters come and kill most of the island’s tribe; on when that  “fateful day had dawned, the tribe numbered forty-two men ...when that night came and the women had carried back to the village those who had died on the beach of Coral Cover, there remained only fifteen”   -- soon the remaining members decided to move to the mainland. As the ship is leaving, an Indian girl named Karana, sees her brother has been left behind. She begs that the ship be turned back, but they don’t, so she jumps overboard to go back to him.She and her brother are left alone on the island. This is the beginning of a long journey for Karana. Her brother Ramo is killed by the wild dogs  -- she is now completely alone -- she vows to kill the wild dogs. Karana has many hard-ships and adventures --she must build shelters, gather food, make clothing, create weapons, and yes -- conquer the wild dogs that killed her younger brother.  

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

Scott O’Dell creates a tale so unbelievable still yet credible -- readers quickly meet the protagonist and main character, twelve year old Karana, a Ghalas-at Indian girl on the Island of the Blue Dolphins. After the Aleutians killed most of the Ghalas-at tribe, the remaining members decided leaving the island would be best. Finally the day came when a ship arrived, Nanko informed the diminished dynasty that the ship did “not belong to our enemies, the Aletus. There are white men on this ship and they have come from that place where Kimki went...The ship has come for one reason,...To take us away from Ghalas-st.” It is believed that the remainder of the tribe is aboard the ship; “ My brother Ramo was there too, Nanko said” however, as the ship is leaving Karana sees her brother, Ramo, “running along the cliff, the fishing spear held over his head” -- he was not on board. Karana pleaded for the ship to turn around and get her brother but Chief Matasaip “grasped [Karana’s] arm” and said “We cannot wait for Ramo,...”If we do, the ship will be driven on the rocks.” Karana’s pleas fell on death ears so she does the only thing she can think of -- jumps ship to stay with her younger brother -- they are the only one’s left an the island everyone was fleeing. Shortly after this, Ramo is killed by a pack of wild dogs. Karana is truly all alone -- she vows to avenge his death and live.

The plot is based on historic events which O’Dell not only transports the readers to that island but he also telaports them back to the 1800s. This achievement allows the reader to believe, comprehend, detect the day to day struggles Karana faces. 

REVEIW EXCERPT:

School Library Journal: "A haunting and unusual story...A quiet acceptance of fate characterizes her order."

A Kids' Review: "If you like heart breaking, touching, and sad books, you should definitely read the Island of the Blue Dolphins..."

CONNECTIONS:

* Make a list of all the problems Karana faces alone on the island and how she solves each
* Karana's skills help her survive on the island alone -- list some skills people would need to survive in today's world
* What is your first impression of Karana? Does it change as the story progresses? Is Karana someone you would like to know?
* Choose a favorite passage and create a drawing/painting that comes to them from the imagery of the passage
* Visit and explore Scott O'Dell's website.