Essay, Research Paper: Island Of The Blue Dolphins

Title: Island of the Blue Dolphins

Author: Scott O'Dell

Character: Karana

Summary: This is the story of Karana, an Indian girl who lived alone for years on the Island of Blue Dolphins. It is an island in the Pacific that looks like a big fish sunning itself in the sea. Around it dolphins swim, otters play, and sea elephants and sea birds abound.
The story began when the Aleuts came to the island of the Blue Dolphins to hunt for sea otters. On this island their lives a small Indian tribe called the Ghalas-at. The Aleuts got permission to stay and hunt on the Indians land if the Aleuts would give the Indians half of what the Aleuts killed. But the day the Aleuts got ready to leave they didn't give the Indians their half of the kills and a fight broke out of course the Aleuts with their guns won and sailed off. Most of the men of the tribe were killed and Karana's tribe decided to move from their home to a nearby island. As the ship with the entire population leaves the island, Karana sees her younger brother stranded alone on the shore. In a courageous move, she jumps into the water and heads for shore. The ship is unable to turn around, and so the two are left to fend for themselves. Karana finds herself alone after her brother got killed by wild dogs, and spends many years alone with only the animals to keep her company.
During these years Karana had to learn how to take care of herself. Learning to build her own house, and look for her own food, make weapons and tools. She also had to protect herself from the wild dogs that lived on the island. She soon learned to become friends with the animals and felt truly contented in her home.
Best Part: I think the best part of the story is when the author describes how Karana lived on the island. It told the interesting lifestyle of the Indians long ago. I noticed how differently they lived, and everything they had was from nature- like their tools, and food and clothing.
Liked/disliked: I liked this book. It was exciting, and touching at the same time. It told the natural beauty of nature and a girl's survival adventure.