Wednesday, July 14, 2010

August - Island of the Blue Dolphins

Our next book club will be held on August 3rd at Lisa C's house. We will be discussing the Young Adult novel Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell.

Description:
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. But while she waited, she kept herself alive by building a shelter, making weapons, finding food, and fighting her enemies, the wild dogs. It is not only an unusual adventure of survival, but also a tale of natural beauty and personal discovery.

This novel is based on the true story of Juana Maria, a Nicoleño Indian left alone for 18 years on San Nicolas Island, one of the Channel Islands, off the California coast before being rescued in 1853.


Literary Awards: