Island of the Blue Dolphins Book Club

43 thoughts on “Island of the Blue Dolphins Book Club

  1. I am surprised that this is based off of a true story. I thought that author Scott O’Dell was just making this story up. I didn’t even know that the Island of the Blue Dolphins was a real thing. This was a some what sad story, but now it is far sadder that this is basically true! I wonder if The Lost Woman of San Nicolas looks like Karana on the cover.

  2. I am surprised that this is based off of a true story. I thought that author Scott O’Dell was just making this story up. I didn’t even know that the Island of the Blue Dolphins was a real thing. This was a some what sad story, but now it is far sadder that this is basically true! I wonder if The Lost Woman of San Nicolas looks like Karana on the cover.

  3. I feel that the ending was an satisfying ending. I feel this because we finally found out what happened to the tribe. I felt that the ending would have been better if Rontu didn’t die. I knew that the people from the tribe (forgot what they were called) wouldn’t come back, but I didn’t think they would die from the storm. I predicted this would be a bitter-sweet ending because, I kind of predicted Rontu would die, so the rest wouldn’t be so happy. I still believe that this was a satisfying because it wasn’t that unpleasing.

  4. Heya. Anyone who sees this, I’ve got a question. Well, you see, I forgot my book at school and was wondering if we are reading Chaapter 22 then stopping, or are we reading Chapter 23 as well? Thank you.

  5. While reading this chapter I noticed that the author used a lot of descripted words to describe how the season was changing from winter to spring. While we were reading at school I also noticed that the author was using forshadowing by saying the dog has been alive for servile years and haven’t let the pack since.

  6. This chapter was an overall moodshift in itself. Last chapter, there was blood and gore. This chapter had beautiful description. It pulled me into the story, keeping interested about some flowers 💐!! Of course, it didn’t stay very happy. The birds Karana found had been given names and one was named after an Aleut. Also, Karana mentioned wanting a different name. Other than this, the chapter was very calm and peaceful yet, not at all boring.

  7. Chapter 18 was a calm peaceful chapter. There was no bloodshed or fighting, the wild dogs were not mentioned. It was just about two little birds and Karana’s new skirt and sandals. It was overall cheerful, the only slight mood shifts was when she said that she wanted to be called Lurai , not Karana. Also when she said made a mentioning of the men dying. Bet yet, it was still a very pleasant chapter.

  8. I think that in this chapter the main character Karana thought a lot about the past like when she named the two birds she caught after someone who was killed by the aleuts or like how she had a flashback from before the second ship came when the woman in her village mourned the men who had died while fighting the aleuts. And also sorry I got this in so late.

  9. Scott O’ Dell used forshadowing when he said ” In all the time that Rontu LIVED, he never left again.” So that must mean that Rontu will die but I dont think that he will die yet because he was just introduced.I predict Rontu will die near the end of the book, sadly. 🙁

  10. I read the author use descriptive when she describe how the flower looked. The author also foreshadowed when she said the dog has been alive for several years and hasn’t left the pack sense. I predict that the dog won’t die until the end of the book because he was recently introduced.

  11. i think that the trait that stands out the most is Karana’s smartness and i know this isn’t really a trait but i couldn’t find a word for it. 1 is that she always finds a use for things like how she used the Bulls teeth to make a new spear and also like how she used the cracks in the rock to make shelfs to hold things. and number 2 is how she always thinks about other people like when her brother went back to go get a fishing spear she did not just leave without him she knew he could not take care of himself so she went back.

  12. One of Kranas traits that stand out to me is bravery. For example in the book when she went to get a tusk for her sphere and she saw two sea elephants fighting. No she did not get the tusk but she didn’t just leave, she watched the whole thing. And that has a lot of bravery. Also when she first got trapped on the island she needed some pertection even though she was forbidden to make or use weapons she did. and that has a lot of bravery.

  13. One of Karana’s traits that stands out the most is that she is persistent. I know this because she is on an island all by herself and is not giving up. She cares for herself and ensures her own survival, not giving up. Karana always tries to make her environment better for herself and doesn’t give up on herself. In conclusion, Karana is persistent because she does not give up.

  14. One of Karana’s traits that stands out the most is that she is persistent. I know this because she is on an island all by herself and is not giving up. She cares for herself and ensures her own survival, not giving up. Karana always tries to make her environment better for herself and doesn’t give up on herself. In conclusion, Karana is persistent because she does not give up.

  15. Karana is Courages . Karana is courages because she decided to jump in the sea so she can be with her brother. She also was courages enough to go on a voyage all alone on a tiny canoe to go so far. She believes she can fight off all the wild dogs. Lastly,she was able to live on her island,all alone…

  16. One of Karana’s traits is bravery, or courage. This really stands out to me because when Ramo (pretty sure) was left on the island (it was Ramo..right?), Karana had jumped out of the ship and swam all the way back to the Island of the Blue Dolphins to rescue him. After Ramo’s death, Karana stayed strong and fended off the wild dogs that could’ve killed her, too. She had to survive on an island by herself. She had no shelter, no food, nothing. She was brave enough to handle the sea elephants and the death of her brother.
    – Kayla

  17. One of Karana’s traits that really stands out to me is her bravery. I think this because when Karana was abandoned she had to learn how to survive alone. I’m pretty sure Karana was not an adult so, having to learn how to catch food and make shelter must be hard. What really stood out to me about her bravery was having to suffer her brother get killed by a pack of wild wolves. She was terrified after that happened, she was scared they would get her. You would have to be really brave not to hide from them. If I were Karana I would keep being brave and not let anything stop me. That is the trait that really stood out to me BRAVERY.

  18. Ok so for today’s assignment I would like you all to write about Karanas character traits. Now keep in mind that Karana has a lot of traits so I would like you to pick one that stands out to you the most. Please write at least 5 sentences about why Karana is that trait. ENJOY

  19. YES! Scott O’Dell starts the story in the past. This helps me empathize how the character is feeling. For example he starts the story by saying ” I remember the day” so this tells me that the story is in past tense. I do think that it’s affective because it helps me understand the story line and it helps me feel how the character is feeling.

  20. I think that the auther Scott O’dell emphasize’s the characters by giving small details so that makes it more likely to understand. And he also puts most of the story in past tense which gives the reader a easyer plot to understand.

  21. I agree with Gabbie, the writing being in past-tense is effective. For me, it helps me understand the characters struggles. It has me think about how this already happened and now she just wants to share her pain. The past-tense writing makes me feel that in the future, things are going to be okay, because now she’s calm and willing to recall this memory. It makes me hopeful that the future will be okay.

  22. I think he emphasizes the setting. He probably chose to do this because it makes the reader notice how isolated the island is. I do think this is effective because now I really notice that the island is days journey by sea to other land, and how truly alone she is on this island. It makes me know that she is truly alone. In conclusion, Scott O’Dell emphasizes the setting and it is effective.

  23. Yes. Scott O’Dell utilizes this writing technique very well. It helps make the story more detailed and interesting. He describes the setting well by using this strategy as well as the characters.

  24. Scott O’Dell emphasizes is story by introducing the plot in past-tense. He chose this strategy because, he wants the reader to understand the problems they already faced. I think it is very effective because when you are reading the story you feel like you know a lot more by reading in past-tense, than you do in present tense.

    • Yeah Gabbie I agree with you that the auther Scot O’Dell helps the reader understand the problems Karana faced by putting part of the story in past-tense.

  25. Hi Island of the Blue Dolphin readers! I’m going to help you get your conversation going by asking you a question that will take some thought (and knowledge of the book) in order to answer. There’s no one right answer, but you need to support your ideas with evidence from the book. In other words, always tell WHY you’re thinking the way you are. (Sometimes you’ll notice relevant information that others won’t.) Don’t copy what anyone else has said. Later, go back and comment on other people’s comments. That makes them feel valued and respected. Feel free to ask your own questions to keep the discussion going!

    Does Scott O’Dell emphasize characters, setting, or plot to open his story? Why does he choose this strategy? Do you think it’s effective?

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