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Island of the Blue Dolphins
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Author: Scott O'Dell
In the Pacific there is an island that looks like a big fish sunning itself in the sea. Around it, blue dolphins swim, otters play, and sea elephants and sea birds abound. Once, Indians also lived on the island. And when they left and sailed to the east, one young girl was left behind. — This is the story of Karana, the Indian girl who lived alon...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780440940005
ISBN-10: 0440940001
Publication Date: 1978
Pages: 208
Reading Level: Young Adult
Rating:
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 208

4.2 stars, based on 208 ratings
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

knittymama avatar reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 424 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
What a wondeful book! It was sad and yet inspirational. This young woman has so much inner strength and wisdom and an abundance of hope and optimism. Through tragedy after tragedy she just keeps on going simply for the sake of meeting the next day head-on. Loved it loved it loved it!
AimeeM avatar reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 124 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I have loved this book ever since I was 9 years old, and I still do.
It is one of those stories you can never get tired of reading.
Perfect for all age groups.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Bookfanatic avatar reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on
Helpful Score: 3
A wonderful tale of self-reliance and survival. I read this book in elementary school and it's one of those stories that has stayed with me all these years. It's a great story for youngsters especially girls.
reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on
Helpful Score: 3
It's funny how many people read this in school and bought their own copy. I have always loved this book since I read it in school. A must for everyone to read.
reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is an amazing book. i read it through school then had to go out and buy my own copy. i would recomend this book if you survival or suspence stories.
Read All 74 Book Reviews of "Island of the Blue Dolphins"

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reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 5 more book reviews
This was a great story.
havan avatar reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 138 more book reviews
Set in the 1800's on an isolated island off the coast of California, I'd once heard this book described as the left coast's answer to Squanto. This book is different though in that it's one girls tale of losing her people, meeting European explorers and becoming marooned alone on an island for many years. It's a cross between My Side of the Mountain, Robinson Crusoe and Hatchet.

It's a short first person read that draws in the reader and gives one an idea what it really might have been like to live on that island at that time. The accepting, matter of fact attitude of the main character might well be inspiring to many youths who today think that they have it tough.

At 186 pages, it's well worth investing the time to read it. The reader will gain perspectives and images that will stick with them much longer than many other books of this length
reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 8 more book reviews
A story of a young girl's journey from childhood to adulthood. She is left on an island alone, and must fend for herself. A captivating read for any young child, this book, like O'Dell's others, provides a strong female rolemodel for young girls and boys alike.
reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 18 more book reviews
Island of the Blue Dolphins is a beautifully written book. The heroine is a good example for girls because she is an independent, creative, and smart girl. This book is really good for book clubs, summer reading, or for language arts classes. This book is mostly for ages 9-12.
reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 157 more book reviews
Good survival story.
mandylou avatar reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 13 more book reviews
Absolutly love this book. I am a school teacher & we read this every year in class. It is a great book to teach children independance, self confidance, & how to cherish & respect the land. Great story line!
reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 17 more book reviews
Newberry Award Winner
Marcia avatar reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 378 more book reviews
In the Pacific there is an island that looks like a big fish sunning itself in the sea. Around it, blue dolphins swim, otters play and sea elephants and sea birds abound. Once, indians also lived on the island. And when they left and sailed to the east, one young girl was left behind. This is the story of Karana, the indian girl who lived alone for years on the island of the Blue Dolphins. Year after year, she watched one season pass into another and waited for a ship to take her away. ut while she waited, she kept herself alive by building shelter, making weapons, finding food, and fighting her enemies, the wild dogs.
reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 30 more book reviews
Read the whole book without realizing it was a true story. Was a very interesting read, and enjoyed it a lot. Wish she could have communicated better with her rescuers so her story would have been more complete.
reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 15 more book reviews
Family, Young Adult, Horror, Drama, Realistic Fiction
jenlo avatar reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 9 more book reviews
This was one of my favorite books growing up and I can't tell you how many times I read it and re-read it!
reviewed Island of the Blue Dolphins on + 496 more book reviews
My all time favorite for young adults, but I enjoy it as an adult too!

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