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Island of the Blue Dolphins - Book Review
Susan Helene Kramer
Island of the Blue
Dolphins
by Scott O'Dell, was winner of the Newbery Medal in 1961 and joins my list of
treasured books, because of the example of resourcefulness the young girl,
Karana, shows in surviving alone against all odds. Stranded by herself on an
island off the coast of California for 18 years, Karana relies on her inner
strength, courage and skills she developed through trial and error to cope and
grow.
Mr.
O’Dell describes realistically the animals and vegetation on the island, and
this reader was immersed right along with Karana in the pictures of the
environment seeing the daily struggles and challenges of survival.
Scott
O'Dell (1898-1989) was a prolific 20th century author. Island of the Blue
Dolphins was written for children, but he also wrote fiction and nonfiction
for adults. Growing up in Southern California he enjoyed the ocean and being
outdoors. It is a beautiful example of Mr. O’Dell’s expertise writing
historical fiction. More of his books are The Road to Damietta, Sing Down the Moon and The Black Pearl.
Coming
back to modern times and the challenges today’s kids face for a moment, a young
person faced with obstacles has an opportunity through reading Karana's story
of coping and thriving, to see that there is more than one way to learn and
grow in life. The story gives reason to keep striving toward one’s chosen
goals.
I
love that the setting is right off the California coast - giving a sense that
this story really could have happened. Standing on the beach
in Southern California, looking out to the Channel Islands, one can “see”
Karana in her daily struggles.
It
is a particularly appropriately book to read aloud to school age kids - though
the fact that Karana was stranded and alone might scare preschoolers. I feel
that it is surely an example that when one door is closed another way opens
making use of different learning techniques, and Island of the Blue Dolphins
shows many examples of adaptation.
My
highest recommendation.
Details - for upper elementary
reading level in 192 pages; published by Sandpiper; Anv
edition (February 8, 2010); ISBN: 0547328613.
To
order from Amazon.com - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0547328613/bookreviews09-20/
Review
by Susan Helene Kramer; I bought my copy from Amazon.com
Copyright 2012-2015 Susan Helene Kramer
Santa Barbara, California USA
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Published by Creations in Consciousness
email susan@susankramer.com
web site http://www.susankramer.com