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| Author | Scott O'Dell |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Ted Lewin |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin |
| Publication date | September 1961 |
| Media type | Hardcover Paperback Audio |
| Pages | 192 pages |
| ISBN | ISBN 0395069629 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
Island of the Blue Dolphins is a novel for children, written by Scott O'Dell. It was published in 1961 and won the Newbery Medal that year. It is based on the true story of Juana Maria, a Nicoleño Indian marooned for 18 years on San Nicolas Island, off the coast of California. It's a very fun novel!
The main character is a girl named Karana, who, like the real Juana Maria, is marooned for 18 years. Her people live on the island, picking roots and fishing to supply the tribe. One day, the Aleuts, led by a Russian captain, arrive and trick the natives into letting them hunt otter on the island, in return for other goods. However, the Aleuts lied to the Indians and try to leave without paying them. When confronted by the chief, Karana's father, a battle breaks out, taking lives on both sides. The tribe has been descimated by the battle, and the Aleuts leave the island, leaving little payment for the otters they hunted.
Later, an elder member of the tribe leaves the island to find a better life for the tribe members. He sends a ship to evacuate the tribe, and bring them to the mainland. A storm is coming, and although Karana urges the captain to wait, the ship must leave before the storm makes it impossible to do so. Karana jumps ship when she realizes that her younger brother Ramo was left behind. Shortly thereafter, Ramo is killed by wild dogs that have left their deceased owners. Karana begins to take on the tasks originally meant for the other village members to ensure her own survival. In revenge for her brother, she vows to kill the wild dogs and begins to make weapons, although her tribe had a strict law against women making weapons. After killing many dogs and injuring one, she has a change of heart. She does not kill the injured dog, and eventually befriends him. She gives him the name Rontu, because of his yellow eyes.
Karana is always on the lookout for the Aleuts. She knows they will return someday, and when they do, she will not put herself in harm's way by running into them. Over time, Karana makes a life for herself. She builds a home, and even stocks a cave with provisions she will need should she ever become sick. When she was first marooned, she used animals for food and tools and clothing. After many years alone on the island, Karana decides not to kill anymore. The animals have become her friends and her companions, and though she knows her people would think she is silly, she cannot bring herself to harm them for her benefit.
One summer, the Aleuts return, as Karana knew they would. She takes refuge in the cave she has stocked. It is close to a water supply, and she is able to live comfortably while avoiding the hunters. She is aware of their activities, however, and soon realizes that there is a young woman among them who takes care of the domestic duties. The woman often goes to the water supply, and Karana becomes worried that she will be found out. She keeps Rontu hidden in the cave, because he was one of the Aleut's dogs, and she does not want him to be taken. Despite her precautions, Karana and young Aleut woman meet. Although they do not speak the same language, they talk to each other, exchanging the names for different objects, and become friends. Karana realizes how lonely she has been without other people.
Time passes, and one day Karana sees the sails of a ship. Finally, a boat has been sent to rescue her. She dresses in her finest attire (a skirt made of cormorant feathers, and an otter cape) and goes to the shore to meet the boat. Her rescuers realize her attire will not be appropriate for the mainland, and have a dress made for her. Though she does not like the dress, Karana realizes that this is part of her new life. The ship sails away, and brings Karana to the mission in Santa Barbara.
O'Dell wrote a sequel to the story called Zia, written from the point of view of Karana's young niece.
The real Juana Maria, also known as the Lost Woman of San Nicolas, was rescued from the island in 1853. She died two weeks after she was brought to the California mainland. San Nicolas is now home to a base of the United States Navy.
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