Island of the Blue Dolphins
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| Island of the Blue Dolphins | |
|---|---|
 Lewin cover, unknown recent edition |
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| Author(s) | Scott O'Dell |
| Illustrator | none (first) Ted Lewin (recent) |
| Cover artist | Evaline Ness (first) Ted Lewin (depicted) |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Children's novel |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin |
| Publication date | 1960[1] |
| Media type | Print (hardcover & paperback); Audio book |
| Pages | 184 pp[1] |
| ISBN | 0-395-06962-9[1] |
| OCLC Number | 225474 |
| Followed by | Zia |
Island of the Blue Dolphins is a 1960 American children's novel written by Scott O'Dell. The story of a young girl stranded for years on an island off the California coast, it is based on the true story of Juana Maria, a Nicoleño Indian left alone for 18 years on San Nicolas Island in the 19th century.
Island of the Blue Dolphins won the Newbery Medal in 1961.[1] bIt was adapted into a film of the same name in 1964. O'Dell later wrote a sequel, Zia, published in 1976.
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[edit] Historical basis
This novel is based on the true story of Juana Maria, better known to history as "The Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island", a Nicoleño Indian left alone for 18 years on San Nicolas Island, one of the Channel Islands off the California coast, before being discovered in 1853. By this time Juana Maria was the last known member of her tribe, and was unable to communicate with anyone she met on the mainland. She lived with the family of George Nidever, one of the men in the group that found her, but died after only seven weeks.
[edit] Plot summary
The main character is a girl named Karana, and that is her secret name. Wonapalei is her common name (everyone in the village have secret names). Her people live in a village called Ghalas-at on the island, gathering roots and fishing to supply the tribe. One day, a ship of Aleuts, led by a Russian named Captain Orlov, arrive and persuade the natives into letting them hunt sea otter on the island in return for other goods. However, the Aleuts lied to the islanders and tried to leave without paying them. When they are confronted by Chief Chowig, Karana's father, a battle breaks out, taking lives on both sides. The tribe is decimated by the battle, while the Aleuts leave the island, leaving little payment for the otters they hunted. Karana's father and many other men in the tribe died after the battle.
Later, the "replacement chief", Chief Kimki, leaves the island for new land in the east. Eventually, he is able to send a ship to bring his people to the mainland, even though he doesn't return himself. The white men came to Karana's village and told them to pack their goods and go to the ship. Ramo left the ship to retrieve his fishing spear. Although Karana urges the captain to wait for her brother Ramo to return, the ship must leave before a storm approaches. Karana jumps off the ship and swims to shore, and the ship departs without them.
The siblings live alone on the island,hoping the ship will return. Ramo is eventually killed by a pack of wild dogs (some of the dogs joined the wild pack after the Aleuts killed their owners). Alone on the island, Karana must now take on traditionally male tasks, such as hunting, making spears, or building canoes, in order to survive. She vows to avenge her brother's death and kills several of the dogs, but has a change of heart when she encounters the leader of the pack. She tames him and names him Rontu, meaning "fox eyes" in her language.
Over time, Karana makes a life for herself. She builds a home and even stocks a cave with provisions in case the Aleuts ever come back, so she can hide from them. As she explores her island, Karana discovers ancient artifacts and an octopus (which she calls a devilfish). As time passes, she decides to hunt the devilfish. She also tames some birds and an otter; she feels a close kinship to the animals, the only inhabitants of the island beside herself.
One summer, the Aleuts return, and Karana takes refuge in the cave. She observes the Aleuts closely, and soon realizes that there is a girl, Tutok, among the Aleuts who takes care of the domestic duties, including getting water from the pool near Karana's cave. Despite Karana's precautions, she and the young Aleut woman meet and befriend each other. They exchange presents with each other when possible. Karana realizes how lonely she has been without other people. Later the Aleuts leave, with Tutok; the men are none the wiser of Karana's presence, but their departure also deprives her of her newfound friend.
More time goes by, and Rontu passes away. She soon finds a young pup that is clearly his son and takes him in, naming him Rontu-Aru ("Son of Rontu"). One day, Karana sees the sails of a ship. It docks at the shore, but it then leaves. Two years later, in the spring, the boat comes back, so she dresses in her finest attire and goes to the shore to meet the boat. Her rescuers realize her attire will not be appropriate for the mainland, and they have a dress made for her. Although she does not like the dress, Karana realizes that this is part of her new life. The ship sails away, and takes Karana and Rontu-Aru to the mission in Santa Barbara, California.
[edit] Literary significance and reception
The novel was highly acclaimed upon its publication, and became O'Dell's best known work. It was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1961.[1] O'Dell published a sequel, Zia, in 1976. This book follows 14-year-old Zia, Karana's niece, who believes her aunt is still alive, and eventually brings about her rescue by George Nidever.
[edit] Film adaptation
A film adaptation of Island of the Blue Dolphins was released on July 3, 1964. It was directed by James B. Clark and starred Celia Kaye as Karana. Jane Klove and Ted Sherdeman adapted the script from O'Dell's novel, and the film was produced by Robert B. Radnitz and Universal Pictures. The film was made on a slight budget and did not receive a wide release.[2][3] However, Kaye won a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year for her performance.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e Island of the Blue Dolphins. ISBNdb (2009). Retrieved 2009-08-26.
- ^ "Island of the Blue Dolphins". Rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
- ^ Thompson, Howard (July 4, 1964). "Island of the Blue Dolphins (1964)" (Review). The New York Times. Retrieved 2010-06-15.
- ^ "Celia Kaye". imdb.com.
[edit] External links
- Island of the Blue Dolphins at the Internet Movie Database
- History of Juana Maria and San Nicolas Island
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Onion John |
Newbery Medal recipient 1961 |
Succeeded by The Bronze Bow |
| Preceded by The Helen Keller Story |
Winner of the William Allen White Children's Book Award 1963 |
Succeeded by The Incredible Journey |
