|  | Author: Scott O'Dell
Publisher: Thorndike Press
Category: Book
List Price: $10.95
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Rating:  52 reviews
Format: Large Print
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Unknown), English (Published)
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1
Reading Level: Young Adult
Pages: 223
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6
ISBN: 0786272546
EAN: 9780786272549
Publication Date: February 2, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 52
 Still a true classic December 30, 2005
magellan (Santa Clara, CA)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
This classic was voted one of the top 10 American children's books of the last 200 years by the Children's Literature Association. Although modern readers may find it a little dated in some ways and the pacing a little slow, it's still an absorbing and beautiful story about how a resourceful Indian girl survives alone on an island off the California coast for 18 years.
The story is a lot like Robinson Crusoe only told from the girl's point of view, but that's okay. (Coincidently Crusoe was rescued after 17 years on his island, if I remember correctly).
The book is still worth reading today by young readers and O'Dell does a great job of telling this resourceful young woman's story. The story was inspired by true events, when the girl's people were evacuated from the island of Ghalas-At and she jumped ship to stay behind with her abandoned brother (who tragically dies shortly thereafter, leaving, Karana, the girl, all alone).
Overall, still a great classic and worth your child's time and effort.
Simply written, but beautiful and poignant January 27, 2010
Ursiform (Torrance, CA USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I am old enough to have had this book read to my elementary school class when it was still fairly new. It is a book I have remembered ever since.
What is known is that in 1853 a lone woman was "rescued" from San Nicolas Island off the coast of California. The rest of her tribe had been evacuated eighteen years before, but no one who spoke her language remained after those years had passed. Thus she could tell no one her story, save the little she communicated to a priest with gestures, and she became ill and died after a few weeks.
From this bit of history Scott O'Dell imagines a life for her. It is, of course, fiction, and certainly doesn't match her real life. But he thoughtfully explores a couple of challenging topics: What happens when cultures meet and compete over resources? And how can a stranded adolescent learn to survive alone and to grow up with nothing but memories of her people and culture to guide her? It is a very touching story of loss, learning, and self-recreation. Some parts of the story I remembered these forty-some years later, and many parts I did not. But I was glad to again make my acquaintance with this book.
The writing is leisurely but engaging. It may be too slowly paced for many children today, who have grown up with frenetic action, short attention span entertainment. But surely there must still be those more contemplative young souls who will warm to this wonderful book.
Wonderful story of history November 9, 2007
ds
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
This is a very touching story based on the small amount of factual information preserved on the Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island. It has been a fantastic jumping-off point for explorations into Chumash culture and history, visits to the graveyard where the woman is buried and Santa Barbara history. O'Dell has incorporated the known facts into a well-written and engaging book, with a very touching ending, as most readers would know that the woman died some weeks after being brought to the mainland, probably because of eating food to which she was unaccustomed. Although all members of her tribe had died by the time she arrived and no one was able to speak her language, she was so happy to be among people that she welcomed many visitors before her death, communicating her stories the best she could. By all accounts she was a very sociable and pleasant woman. This book inspires children to play at "survival" games and adults to ponder European treatment of Native Americans.
A Great Book October 15, 2009
P. Lundberg (Salt Lake)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The Island of the Blue Dolphins was written by Scott O'Dell. The title Island of the Blue Dolphins describes the island Karana lives on. The setting is about 1835 on a small island where her tribe lived. It is based on a true story. They were kind people believing in many gods and were very close with each other. Karana (the main character, a girl starting at the age 12) is the protagonist because without her, there would be no point in the book. The Aleut otter hunters are the antagonists in the story for chasing them off their island. There are very few characters in the story but the main ones are Karana (main character), Ramo (Karana's six year old brother), and Rontu (the leader of the wild dog pack). The problem is that she was stranded on an abandoned island and her brother was killed by wild dogs who want to kill her too. She is living on her island with her tribe but the Aleut otter hunters come and get in a fight. This results in many deaths and her tribe has to evacuate. She ends up alone on the island and has to survive.
It is written in first person, with Karana being that character. The book is very descriptive on plants, animals and many other island features. The dialogue has many Indian phrases from her tribe, but also uses proper English. The character development is flattering. In the beginning, Karana is a regular young girl but develops into a strong, brave and outgoing woman. The theme is no matter what the circumstances or what has happened, you must keep surviving and pushing on. Just like Karana, you must keep going on. This book is great and rightfully earned a Newberry award. This book gets a 5/5 star rating. This should be one of the most recommended, award winning classics for everyone of all ages to enjoy.
A Must Read for All Ages! February 3, 2010
Mental Mommy (Portsmouth, VA United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I remember reading this when I was about 12 or 13. I remember thinking how scary it would be to be alone on an island, especially when you have to take care of your little brother and you're still more or less a kid yourself. Now that I am an adult, I read it again and thought, "How courageous!" Not only did this girl survive on an island alone, but she THRIVED. She didn't JUST survive! She fought off animals, fished, hunted, gathered, kept up shelter, and maintained a lookout by herself. Based loosely on a true story, re-reading this book has led me to delve into the true history and learn more. I cannot wait to share this simply written, yet truly inspiring and amazing story with my daughter.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 52
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