Island of the Blue Dolphins
by Scott O'Dell, and published by Houghton
About
Island of the Blue Dolphins is based on the remarkable story of an Indian girl who lived alone for eighteen years on an island off the California coast, and whose record is preserved in the Santa Barbara Mission.
In the early 1800's, the islanders had suffered so from the raids of the Aleutian fur hunters that the entire population was evacuated to California's mainland--all but one boy who was missing when the ship sailed, and his young sister remained behind to protect him. A pack of wild dogs killed the brother, but the girl was able to carry on until another ship put in to San Nicolas after eighteen years and brought her back to the Santa Barbara Mission.
Around these facts, O'Dell has woven a deeply moving, beautifully written story of the girl's constant struggle to survive against loneliness, hunger, animal and human enemies, and the forces of nature. Readers are sure to find Karana's story both fascinating and memorable.
