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.
Scott O'Dell won the Newbery Medal for Island of the Blue Dolphins in 1961, and in 1976 the Children's Literature Association named this riveting story one of the 10 best American children's books of the past 200 years.
Parent Night-Thursday, August 9th @ 6:00 pm
