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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An interesting fictional account of how the woman of San Nicholas may have lived her years alone, seemed well researched as to indigenous survival methods/techniques.
I remembered this book from a child, and I loved it. I had to read it again and see if it was as good as I remember.
It was still pretty good.
Island of the Blue Dolphins is sort of like Hatchet. Except A.) it’s about a girl and B.) it actually happened (a fact I didn’t realize until I reached the end of the book, which made it even better). Karana lives on the Island of Blue Dolphins with her tribe. When her tribe decides to leave the island with some white sailors, Karana accidentally gets left behind. She spends the next 18 years alone, making canoes, defending herself from the wild dogs, making animal friends, feeding herself, and making her own shelter.
It’s not a lot of plot to go off of, but it’s actually pretty entertaining. There’s a sense of urgency, despite the fact that the entire setting is a human-free island. It took me awhile to feel comfortable reading this, and I think that’s partially because it was written in 1960. It reads a little archaically at points. It’s still well-written though, and because it’s told in first person, you really get to know Karana personally. She felt incredibly real. In my understanding, the book is also fairly accurate to the “real life” event of the Lost Woman of San Nichols.
I would recommend this to young readers who love animals or nature, or who are very interested in survival stories. Usually, I would be hesitant to recommend this book to young readers because of the print date, but there’s actually not much in there that “ages” it. In fact, when I mentioned to someone earlier today that it was written in 1960, she didn't believe me. I remember loving it and not thinking it was “old,” so I would be comfortable recommending it to the right child.
Warnings:
Sex: none.
Drugs: none.
Violence: there is a fight between men of the tribe in the beginning of the book. It is tasteful, and not too descriptive, but many die. Additionally, there are some fights with the wild dogs, some of which die.
Language: none.
It was still pretty good.
Island of the Blue Dolphins is sort of like Hatchet. Except A.) it’s about a girl and B.) it actually happened (a fact I didn’t realize until I reached the end of the book, which made it even better). Karana lives on the Island of Blue Dolphins with her tribe. When her tribe decides to leave the island with some white sailors, Karana accidentally gets left behind. She spends the next 18 years alone, making canoes, defending herself from the wild dogs, making animal friends, feeding herself, and making her own shelter.
It’s not a lot of plot to go off of, but it’s actually pretty entertaining. There’s a sense of urgency, despite the fact that the entire setting is a human-free island. It took me awhile to feel comfortable reading this, and I think that’s partially because it was written in 1960. It reads a little archaically at points. It’s still well-written though, and because it’s told in first person, you really get to know Karana personally. She felt incredibly real. In my understanding, the book is also fairly accurate to the “real life” event of the Lost Woman of San Nichols.
I would recommend this to young readers who love animals or nature, or who are very interested in survival stories. Usually, I would be hesitant to recommend this book to young readers because of the print date, but there’s actually not much in there that “ages” it. In fact, when I mentioned to someone earlier today that it was written in 1960, she didn't believe me. I remember loving it and not thinking it was “old,” so I would be comfortable recommending it to the right child.
Warnings:
Sex: none.
Drugs: none.
Violence: there is a fight between men of the tribe in the beginning of the book. It is tasteful, and not too descriptive, but many die. Additionally, there are some fights with the wild dogs, some of which die.
Language: none.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Childhood favorite. I think this was 6th grade or seventh grade required reading - and I’m so grateful for teachers introducing me to amazing literature
This was such an interesting book. I wish I would have read this when I was younger. I'm sure I would have pretended I was Karana and fending for myself! This is amazing that it's based on a true story. I've always fantasized about living a hermit life!
adventurous
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
An impactful story of one girl's resilience even with the odds, and nature itself, against her.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A great book however I find now reading it as an adult that I am not in love with the idea of this young woman swept off on ships by her colonizers. But it's a good book I think all children should read this I love the imagery and message in the book otherwise.
emotional
sad
slow-paced
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Cool history; but a rather boring story.
