Genre 5 Book 3 – Historical Fiction

1. Bibliography
O’Dell, Scott. 1960. ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.
ISBN 0440439884

2. Plot Summary
The setting is an island that looks like a big fish lying out in the sun. Around the island, blue dolphins swim while other sea creatures happily go about their day.

Many Indians live on this island until Russians arrived in a boat to hunt for otter. A fight broke out between the two and many Indians lost their lives. The ones that were left sailed off on a ship for another island. All went except one girl and her brother. These two were left all alone on a deserted island to fend for themselves.

Karana is left on this island for 18 years waiting for the ship to come rescue her, fighting off wild dogs, and learning how to do man’s work in order to survive. She does more than survive though, she finds true happiness in what life has dealt her.

3. Critical Analysis
O’Dell does an incredible job of authoring a book on the true meaning of survival. Written in first person, this novel feels more like a realistic account of what truly happened instead of a work of fiction. The action comes in the beginning of the story grabbing the reader’s attention almost immediately. “…as I jumped to my feet and Ulape screamed and other cries sounded along the cliff, I saw a figure lying on the rocks. It was my father and blood was on his face.”(22) The vision of Karana’s father, the tribe’s leader, lying dead and pool of blood was an emotional point in this novel.

The character’s feelings are so real. Karana loved her brother enough to jump overboard so as not to leave him alone. However, when she has to bury him, she is strong enough keep on surviving on her own.

The island setting is conveyed through Karana’s eyes and excursions. From hiding the canoes along the water to discovering the cave the wild dogs inhabited, Karana takes us through and around this beautiful mysterious island. Although this novel was written many years ago, O’Dell’s vivid descriptions and ingenious survival tips has created a novel to be shared by many generations.

4. Review Excerpt(s)
AMAZON.COM REVIEW: “A gripping story of battling wild dogs and sea elephants, this simply told, suspenseful tale of survival is also an uplifting adventure of the spirit.”
THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW: "This book is a tour de force, but convincing and beautifully written."

5. Connections
ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS is a great addition to any unit dealing with survival. Read KIA the story of Karana’s niece. Compare the two novels.
Have students pick a sea animal and conduct research on that animal to present to the class.