Island of the Blue Dolphins: 12/07/07

I reread Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell for the BookCrossing Literacy Train. It was nice to go back to this award winner with an adult pair of eyes and experiences to better understand the story. I know it's written for the 9 to 12 set but when I was that age it went right over my head.

When I had to read it for school in fifth or six grade I remember not liking it because it didn't seem real to me. I don't remember if our teacher told us about the history behind the book or not but I couldn't believe that California had islands off the coast.

Island of the Blue Dolphins is still a rather sparse narrative since the bulk of it covers the eighteen years that Karana spends alone. This time however I was able to enjoy the historical setting and the way in which San Nicholas Island is described. As an adult I come to the book a course in Channel island biology, four years of living in Santa Barbara and a whole bunch of other experiences that I hadn't had when I first read the book.

Comments (1)

Comment #1: Saturday, December, 8, 2007 at 03:22:11

Sqt

Gawd, I forgot about this book. I read it ages ago (it seems like a hundred years). I would never have thought of it again had it not been for your review, and I loved Scott O'Dell when I was a kid."

Comment #2: Sunday, December, 9, 2007 at 12:22:04

Heather

I have had this book sitting for ages waiting to be read. I will now move it onto my bedside table for soonest reading. Thanks"