Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell
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Book Reviews of Island of the Blue Dolphins
Book Review: You should SLOWLY enjoy it
Summary: 5 Stars
Island of the Blue Dolphins was a classic children book of Scott O'Dell. After 46 years it still read by children around the world. I really liked this book. This is a book you really should slowly enjoy it.
The book was basic about a true story of an Indian girl named Karana lived alone on the island of blue dolphins for eighteen years. This story all start cause the new Chief Kimki left this island tried to find a country beyond the island and make a place for the villagers on the island after the Aleut ship had came and killed the old Chief Chowig. Months after the white ship from the country had come, and took all the people from the village to the ship. When Karana saw her little brother Ramo was left on the island, she jumped off the ship and live with Ramo. But the next morning Ramo killed by the wild dogs, by the rage of brother's death, she sworn to kill the wild dogs one by one. Maybe Karana was too lonely or the love in her heart appeared or something else, she saved the leader of the wild dogs that she almost killed, then became friend with the dog and named him Rontu. She always wished the white ship will came back, but it never came. She even tried to go to that country, but she find out that the island of the Blue Dolphins is her home. In the next eighteen years she became friends with a lot of animals; built new houses; made a dress and some weapons; meet a girl on anther sail ship named Tutok; be friend with Rontu's son Rontu-Aru, after Rontu died. Finally anther white ship had come and told her the white ship before had sunk in a great storm as soon they reach his country, and that's the reason the white man didn't came.
The book was written use the first-person voice, simple words, detail and understandable sentences.
I like the book that it described the feeling and the characteristics of the character very well, but not always tell straightaway, sometimes use the weather, and sometimes use the action, sometime use the dialogue. For example Karana born the houses of the village because she don't want to recall the memories with the people she lived with, tell us she was suddenly grew up became brave. She slept on the rocks tell us that she was still afraid to be alone.
Some people say this book don't have a good story line, boring, but after I read it slow and carefully I find out this book have a really good story line and a massage Mr. O'Dell want to tell us. At the start the Karana want to kill the wild dogs, but when she see Rontu dying maybe is the lonely or the love in her heart or some thing else, she saved Rontu and became friends, then more animals. At the start, she was lonely and fear filled with bitter but at end she was joyful cause she had many friends, many animal friends. She didn't want to kill one more otter, bird, sea elephant, fox and wild dog. What a change, from fear to happy. What made this change? That is what Mr. O'Dell tried to tell us the power of love.
I think this book is for people in any age. If you like action books, island of blue dolphins is not a good choice. But if you like detail stories this is a good book for you.
By Shengjia Zhu
Book Review: Beautiful Nature with adventure
Summary: 5 Stars
Without doubt this book is worthy of its Newbery Medal and it's rave reviews. This book manages to both excite and calm the reader. It is also Scott O'Dell's one of the famous books in the world. Based on the true story, with unbelievable survival of young girl, Karana. The plot of this book begins dramatically and mellows with moments of drama. As it's draws to an end, it closes with dramatic ending. There are two major turning points. One of them were when Karen's brother dies. From then on, she had to live her by herself. Also when the Aleuts came back, its scenery plot dramatically.
While reading this book, you become intimate with the character, almost like a loyal friend but slightly separated. This book is written in first person so it naturally makes readers to become close to the character. But, sometimes this book slightly separates character and the readers, as we never hear about the main character's innermost thoughts. The only emotions are those that are close friend or observer would notice. It adds more realism because after Karen came to USA she could not communicate. Warm- hearted, adventurous Karen is described very well in this book.
Scott O'Dell, author of this book, has written a lot of books for teenagers and one of the most popular, well-loved authors for young people. He won Newbery Award Medal three times and a lot of other awards and in various countries. His books have been translated into other languages so people of all countries can enjoy his classics.
One thing that surprises us, while reading this book, is that it is very well researched. He researched a lot of things that are required in order to describe her life in the island. In this book, you'll see a lot of unfamiliar vocabulary that is used to describe things both in the past and related to island life.
His style of writing also attracts us. You feel like you were there with her as the reader is just following her like the waves and the wind. It also captures and expresses her feelings. You can almost see the scenes and imagine them clearly. Since it is written in first person, you become friendly with the character. It will draw you in and you'll forget where you are. Just like you have been absorbed by it. One of the things which it draws you in is that the author chooses words that she would choose, to add to authenticity. For example, he would describe the length of time something took as, 'taking many suns to do it.'(Pg. 78) The words used in the book are very very descriptive.
The end, it leaves you with more questions than answers. Like did she meet her family or how did she feel when she first came to America? I wished the book had continued and said more about the end. I liked this book because she finally gets back.
This book is really a moving, sad and touching, simply a classic, story.
Book Review: Karana: Tenacious and Hopeful Hero
Summary: 5 Stars
As a child, my grade school librarian wore out from me asking to borrow so often. Later, as a private tutor, my students chose this again and again. "Island of the Blue Dolphins" lives up to its reputation as one of the greatest children's book ever.
Libraries are good for borrowing books, but some books should be on the shelf of any young reader. Scott O'Dell's magnificent "Island of the Blue Dolphins" is just that. Save your librarian some grief and buy a copy.
"The Island of the Blue Dolphins" is not the story of a foolish young girl who missed the boat when the island was being evacuated. Far from it. Karana was on the boat. Her playful little brother, Ramo, wasn't. He was only 6 years old and could never survive alone. She jumped off and headed to shore to save him. The boat left.
Every little girl or boy has been alone, frightened without a clear way of finding his or her way home. Often, the problem is fixed by turning the next corner, finding out it is the same neighborhood it has always been. In the case of "The Island of the Blue Dolphins," Karana's home never changes. Everyone she knows and loves, however, leaves.
For 18 years Karana took care of herself, and she grows from a preteen child into a woman just entering her 30s. This is that story, filled with adventures similar to "Robinson Crusoe," another true story set to fiction. Fans of "Swiss Family Robinson," will likewise enjoy this.
Karana's ingenuity to survive is surpassed by her tenacity and hope. Weathering hard circumstances, such wild dogs, storms and the constant need to find fresh food and good water. She uses what she learned from her parents and other villagers before the left, and what she learns by trial an error.
As exciting as "Treasure Island," only with a female protagonist, the book is more than a tale of heroics. Scott O'Dell's keen sense of description separates this from the rest of the bookshelf. Although sensitive that his reader is younger, he still manages to place to reader in the story, imagining the smell of sea or hearing the not-so-far off bark of wild dogs.
Like other classics as "Old Yeller" and "My Brother Sam Is Dead," not everything comes easily to Karana. There are somber times when people leave, when her brother dies, or when things look bleak. O'Dell tells the story as realistically as he can, which makes the happy times happier.
I fully recommend "Island of the Blue Dolphins," by Scott O'Dell. It won "The Newberry Medal for Best Children's Book" for good reason.
Anthony Trendl
editor, HungarianBookstore.com
Book Review: Island of the Blue Dolphins Review
Summary: 5 Stars
I read the book the Island of the Blue Dolphins. This is a great book, I recommend everybody to read it. The book starts out slow, but will build up as it goes. In this book there is a little girl named Won-a-pa-lei. She lived in the village Ghalas-at with her tribe. Her tribe all had secrets names. Hers is Karana. She has a father, younger brother and an older sister. Her mom died when she was very young. One day she saw a big boat with huge red sails. These men were called the Aleuts. These people came to the island to catch sea otter. Won-a-pa-lei's father, the Cheif of the tribe, said they may hunt the otter if they shared half when finished hunted. Once the Aleuts were ready to leave they did not pay their fair share. There was a huge fight and many died. Won-a-pa-lei's died had died too. The new Cheif of the tribe set of to the east to new land, for if the Aleuts returned they would not be able to fight them. Suns and Moons later another big ship returned, but this time had white sails. These men were sent to bring them to the new land. As the tribe gathered on to the boat the wind started to blow hard. Every body was on. Except when Won-a-pa-lei looked upon the island she saw her brother, Ramo, jumping up and down. It was too windy to turn around. They would have to come back another day. Won-a-pa-lei jumped off the boat to catch her little brother. They were both stuck on the Island. Later in the book Ramo is attacked by the wild dogs and killed. She is all alone on the Island. She builds a knew shelter, makes weapons, collects food and catches one of the wild dogs and become friends with him. She also makes many other animal friends on the island. Then once again the Aleuts returned. She hid and slept where her canoe was and stayed there until they left. Aleuts that is what she planed. She went out to get water, but one of the Aleut's wife's sees her. Instead of telling the other Aleuts she becomes a friend with Won-a-pa-lei. They make many gifts for each other until the Aleuts have to leave. Won-a-pa-lei makes even more friends with different animals after the Aleuts leave because she feels lonely. After awhile the White men with the white sails return. They told her the other ship had sunk and never made it back. They also tell her the aren't sure if they will make it back either. Now to find this out and all the many detail I left you will just have to read this book for your self. So go get this book and keep on reading.Book Review: The Island of the Blue Dolphins
Summary: 5 Stars
The Island of the Blue DolphinsBy: Scott O'Dell
September 20, 2002
The Island of the Blue Dolphins was one of the best books I read! It had had excitement in it, some action, and a lot of adventure. This story takes place on a island near California. There is a girl named Karana who lives with her tribe including her brother, sister, and father who was chief of the tribe. Karana was a girl that liked adventure. Her brother also like adventure but he like action too. Their father was a man that liked peace and fairness. My favorite character in this book is Karana. She is my favorite because she brave and adventurous. She also loves to help and care for animals. I liked this book a lot. It had a lot of interesting parts in it, and the author , Scott O' Dell, made it very detailed and desciptive so it was easy to understand. I think Scott O'Dell's purpose for writing this book was to show how the indians had to live. I also think he wants the readers to learn how they survived a long time ago. He also wanted the readers to learn that the indians didn't like the white men because they killed animals.
There are a lot of important events in this book. One of my favorites was in the beginning of the book. It started when Karana saw a big ship coming to the island that day. Finally when it got to shore the people from the boat started talking to her father. She soon learned that they were Aluets and they came to hunt otter. The captain said that he would give one part to the chief and then the Aluets would get the other 2 parts. They all started fighting and many men died including Karana's father. When the Aluets left they left behind nine chests of beads. My favorite quote in this book was "Dolphins rose out of the sea and swam before the ship." I liked it because it was at the end of the book and added to the happy ending.
I thought this was a great book! I liked it because it had a lot of adventure and also because Karana had to live alone for many years on the island and even break some rules. The type of reader that would like this book would have to like Historical-Fiction and a lot of adventure. I would recommened this book because it is fun, adventurous, and it is a hard book to put down!