This book was certaintly an adventure!! But it was a vilent one. And unbelievably sad. There are many deaths of animals and children. Deaths are described and makes them sound sad and tragic. NOT FOR YOUNG KIDS!
Island of the Blue Dolphins
(Fiction - Adventure, Written by Scott O'Dell)
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Is it age appropriate?
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Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
A smart girl learns how to survive alone.
updated 01.28.10
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 10 and Up
The good stuff
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Role models:
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
This review of Island of the Blue Dolphins was written by Jessica Pierce
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.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- 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?
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More on Island of the Blue Dolphins
Book Summary
An island girl is separated from her tribe and must learn how to survive on her own. Through threats of wild animals, natural disasters, and invaders, Karana learns to apply her skills toward keeping herself alive. This gritty story was ahead of its time in its depiction of a strong, self-sufficient heroine.
When a tribe of islanders leaves their home in search of a safer place to live, they accidentally leave behind a twelve-year old girl and her young brother. The boy is soon killed by wild dogs, and Karana swears to devote the rest of her life to destroying the wild dogs who killed her little brother. Karana must learn, through various hardships, to get by without the help or wisdom of her tribe. Readers witness her struggle to survive, season after season, for the eighteen years she stays on the island. She is not lonely; eventually she befriends and tames various wild animals, including the leader of the wild dogs. After years of hating the dogs, she slowly comes to realize that it is easier to live in peace than to be constantly at war.
Is It Any Good?
Based on a true story, ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS shows how one smart, innovative girl uses her knowledge of the world around her to ensure her survival. Through many challenges, Karana remains intent not only on survival alone on her island, but also on making a happy life for herself, showing incredible strength of purpose. The book is full of vivid natural description, from the general geography of the island to the specific details of how Karana obtains and prepares food.
Karana finds strengths she never knew she had, which young readers find appealing. Kids will keep reading to find out not only how Karana keeps herself alive, but about the many ways she has fun on her island and the non-human friends she finds. When her rescue finally comes, she leaves the island a different person than the girl who was stranded there 18 years earlier. The joy of the book comes from watching this change take place.
Publisher’s Details
Number of pages: 184, Price: $6.50 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 8-9, Read Alone: 10+
Our Members Say
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Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
good adventure but soooo sad.
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I rate this title on for age 10 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Off 7- Iffy 8-9 On 10+
I'm reading this book in reading class. I really like it, though it's sorta sad.
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Kids ages: 8, 11
I rate this title on for age 10 and give it- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
Wait a Bit on This One
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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I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it
- My 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.
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I rate this title on for age 6 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
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Ratings at a Glance
| 50% | of parents say it's too violent |
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