Bibliography:
O'Dell, Scott. Island of the Blue Dolphins. 1960. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0395536804
O'Dell, Scott. Island of the Blue Dolphins. 1960. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. ISBN 0395536804
Plot Summary:
A young Indian girl, Karana, is left to fend for herself after her tribe leaves the island on which they have always lived. Aleuts, in search of otter pelts, had previously killed many of her tribe, and the remaining members were looking for a better life elsewhere. Karana and her brother are stranded and alone except for the wild animals that surround them. After her brother is soon killed by wild dogs, Karana is the only human left. She must utilize all of her skills in order to feed, clothe, protect, and shelter herself in order to survive.
A young Indian girl, Karana, is left to fend for herself after her tribe leaves the island on which they have always lived. Aleuts, in search of otter pelts, had previously killed many of her tribe, and the remaining members were looking for a better life elsewhere. Karana and her brother are stranded and alone except for the wild animals that surround them. After her brother is soon killed by wild dogs, Karana is the only human left. She must utilize all of her skills in order to feed, clothe, protect, and shelter herself in order to survive.
Critical Analysis:
Winner of the 1961 Newbery Medal, Island of the Blue Dolphins has become a classic. Although there has been much fanfare over this book, it is a slow read. I cannot imagine too many young readers sitting down and finishing the novel. Perhaps it would have been more exciting to a child in the 1960's, but today's youth would likely find it quite boring. Although it is said that an Indian girl did live alone for eighteen years on an island off the coast of California, the plot is really not all that believable. One thing O'Dell does do well is describe the scenery, vividly recreating the time and place in which the novel is set.
Winner of the 1961 Newbery Medal, Island of the Blue Dolphins has become a classic. Although there has been much fanfare over this book, it is a slow read. I cannot imagine too many young readers sitting down and finishing the novel. Perhaps it would have been more exciting to a child in the 1960's, but today's youth would likely find it quite boring. Although it is said that an Indian girl did live alone for eighteen years on an island off the coast of California, the plot is really not all that believable. One thing O'Dell does do well is describe the scenery, vividly recreating the time and place in which the novel is set.
Review Excerpt(s):
Chicago Tribune: "Island of the Blue Dolphins has the timeless enduring quality of a classic."
Chicago Tribune: "Island of the Blue Dolphins has the timeless enduring quality of a classic."
Connections:
Compare to other Newbery Award winning books, including more recent recipients, to compare and contrast the different works and get a closer look at the evolution of the award and its winners.
Compare to other Newbery Award winning books, including more recent recipients, to compare and contrast the different works and get a closer look at the evolution of the award and its winners.
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