Started to read it with my eight-year-old and it proved too much for her. The separation from her family and the death of her father and brother made her too emotional for us to continue. I'll save it for when she's older because I think the message of a girl developing survival skills and examining the values of her culture can lead to a really positive discussion.
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Island of the Blue Dolphins
(1960, Fiction - Adventure, Written by Scott O'Dell)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 8, age appropriate for kids over 10; suggested age 10. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A smart girl learns how to survive alone.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Island of the Blue Dolphins
Parents need to know that lyrical writing and an unusual and compelling survival story based on fact overcome the slow pacing and create an unforgettable atmosphere in this book.
Read our full review by Jessica Pierce
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about feeling lonely. Are Karana's relationships with the animals around her a good substitute for relationships with people? Do you have close relationships with any animals? Do you think she would fit in with her tribe after so much time alone? Do you think she will continue to feel lonely even among people on the mainland?
Our Members Say
See all 17 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Wait a Bit on This One
- I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give itMy concerns are:
- Excessive violence
vilont but great!
i read this with my 5th grade class and it was SAD. there was a lot of fighting and killing and lots of deaths of main charecters. Young kids will find themselves confused and scared but older kid might find it to be a very good book. Most of the kids in my class didnt like it because they thought it was to sad but it hought it was pretty good.
I rate this title on for age 6 and give it- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
- I rate this title on for age 3 and give it
we read this in a school a year or two ago and it was soooooooo boring
- I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
Fantastic book
I had to read this book for school, and I'm glad I did. It's a touching tale of people who live on an island. It's not so good at first, but gets a LOT better!
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Ratings at a Glance
| 100% | of parents say it's too violent |
| 50% | of parents say there are good role models |
| 50% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
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