Island of the Blue Dolphins

The fact that this book was based on a true story - this girl was real, she really did live alone for years on an island - makes my mind reel. Almost made me cry. Loved loved loved.

Karana is a young Indian girl stranded alone on her anscestral island. As the years go on and the ship does not come back, she must learn to survive on her own.

Her story is one of survival and courage. She must defend herself against the wild dogs roaming on the island, and somehow keep hope that the ship will return for her. She faces both trials and joys as she searches for food and shelter.

This story was such a sweet read, and one that all kids will enjoy!

Karana lives alone on the Island of the Blue Dolphins. The rest of her tribe escaped on a ship, but Karana had to stay behind to care for her little brother. This is short-lived, however; it is not long before the little brother wanders into trouble yet again and this time he is devoured by wild dogs.

Karana is now truly alone. Quite unexpectedly, she captures and befriends the leader of the wild dogs. The rest of the book tells the story of her struggles with dangers on the island, including the elements and the arrival of foreigners, and her struggles with loneliness during her many years on the island.

For me, it was the moment in the book where Karana befriends her brother's killer that makes the book leap into excellence, into becoming Newbery-worthy.