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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
Read it so many times, the book practically fell apart!
I loved this book as a kid and love it every time I go back to reread it. It's a classic.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I know this book is a classic and an award winner but in all honesty, it would have upset me as a kid. I was never into realistic survivalist books, preferring fantasy instead. So Karana's abandonment, a few deaths in her community and family, and some animal deaths would have wrecked me.
As an adult, I can step away from that a bit. The book is loosely based on the real life story of the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island. I learned about her when my husband and I visited Channel Islands National Park back in very early 2020 and was curious to read more about her.
Her story is so sad to me. As an introvert, I joke about never wanting to see people again but I can't imagine actually experiencing it.
O'Dell gives us a taste of what her life might have been like, but he chose to write her story as if she were a young teen when she was forgotten (In reality, she was an adult). Her fear and loneliness, her sorrow when her people left. I felt as if I were on that beautiful, isolated island with her, sharing in her small victories and worrying over her setbacks.
I have to admit that a part of me questions if it was appropriate for a white man to write about a Native American woman and her belief system and way of life. I don't know the answer to that, though I feel that he approached his subject with empathy and compassion. Mostly I'm glad history hasn't forgotten her the way she was forgotten in real life, even if she primarily lives on in the pages of a historical fiction book written for children.
Island of the Blue Dolphins isn't going to be a suitable choice for every reader (see my first paragraph) but I still recommend it to those who find the synopsis interesting.
As an adult, I can step away from that a bit. The book is loosely based on the real life story of the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island. I learned about her when my husband and I visited Channel Islands National Park back in very early 2020 and was curious to read more about her.
Her story is so sad to me. As an introvert, I joke about never wanting to see people again but I can't imagine actually experiencing it.
O'Dell gives us a taste of what her life might have been like, but he chose to write her story as if she were a young teen when she was forgotten (In reality, she was an adult). Her fear and loneliness, her sorrow when her people left. I felt as if I were on that beautiful, isolated island with her, sharing in her small victories and worrying over her setbacks.
I have to admit that a part of me questions if it was appropriate for a white man to write about a Native American woman and her belief system and way of life. I don't know the answer to that, though I feel that he approached his subject with empathy and compassion. Mostly I'm glad history hasn't forgotten her the way she was forgotten in real life, even if she primarily lives on in the pages of a historical fiction book written for children.
Island of the Blue Dolphins isn't going to be a suitable choice for every reader (see my first paragraph) but I still recommend it to those who find the synopsis interesting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent
Loooooved this book when I was young. Read it again recently, and it was still very good, although I've lost some of my taste for survival stories. But would highly recommend for children. I remember thinking it looked really boring, but my mum made me read it, and boy was I glad she did.
Book club book with my niece (see My Side of the Mountain post). She thought the ending was a bit odd. A rather abrupt end to the book, which it was. The decision the girl makes is rather pivotal in the story arc, but yet is rushed and then the book is just finished. We both had fun imaging different endings to the book. I won't go into details (spoilers and all), but I think our alternate endings are a bit better. Of course, the novel is true according to the real life story, but this is a novel, and truth can be achieved in many ways.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I had forgotten how much I loved this book back in school. Great re-read!
I LOVE THIS BOOK! I remember it vividly from middle lower school and I think I may reread it now....