Scott O’Dell: Island of the Blue Dolphins (Grades 4–8)
Scott O’Dell: Island of the Blue Dolphins (Grades 4–8)
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell is a historical novel about Karana, a Nicoleño girl who survives alone on an island off the California coast. This Newbery Medal-winning story supports reading comprehension, character and theme analysis, and discussion of resilience, isolation, and relationships with the natural world.
Educational Specifications
- Subject: English Language Arts; Literature; Historical Fiction
- Grade Level: Grades 4–8
- Format: Paperback novel
- Author: Scott O’Dell
- Illustrator: Ted Lewin
- Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Length: 192 pages
- ISBN: 9780547328614
- Edition Publication Date: February 8, 2010
- Book Dimensions: Approximately 7.5 × 5.1 × 0.6 inches
- Learning Focus: Textual evidence, setting, character development, survival themes, and distinguishing historical fiction from historical sources
- Accelerated Reader: Reading level 5.4; 6 points; Middle Grades interest level
Reading & Discussion Note
Includes the death of a sibling, animal attacks, loss, and prolonged isolation. The novel is a fictionalized account, not a firsthand Indigenous history; pairing it with Indigenous-authored resources supports discussion of perspective and representation.
Note on Historical Context
This book is an unaltered literary classic. It contains period-typical language, historical terminology, and racial slurs that are offensive today. We provide this title for historical analysis and educational discussion, but we do not endorse or support the language used within the text.