Island of the Blue Dolphins, Scott O'Dell

Based on a true account, Island of the Blue Dolphins traces the life of a remarkable Native American woman who lived alone on an island off the coast of California for eighteen years in the mid-1800s. Aboard ship with her entire village and bound for the mainland, she discovered that her younger brother was not on the ship. After she jumps ship and swims ashore, the story follows her amazing courage as she faces formidable obstacles, including the death of her brother.

Related Readings

"A Mother's Yarn"—traditional Saami folktale

"Alone"—poem by Maya Angelou

"California Sea Otters"—natural history by Richard Wolkomir

"The Fish"—poem by Elizabeth Bishop

"pete at the seashore"—poem by Don Marquis

from Daring the Sea—nonfiction adventure by David W. Shaw

Study Guide (PDF)