Island of the Blue Dolphins

Amazon.com

Scott O'Dell won the Newbery Medal for Island of the Blue Dolphins in 1961, and in 1976 the Children's Literature Association named this riveting story one of the 10 best American children's books of the past 200 years. O'Dell was inspired by the real-life story of a 12-year-old American Indian girl, Karana. The author based his book on the life of this remarkable young woman who, during the evacuation of Ghalas-at (an island off the coast of California), jumped ship to stay with her young brother who had been abandoned on the island. He died shortly thereafter, and Karana fended for herself on the island for 18 years.

O'Dell tells the miraculous story of how Karana forages on land and in the ocean, clothes herself (in a green-cormorant skirt and an otter cape on special occasions), and secures shelter. Perhaps even more startlingly, she finds strength and serenity living alone on the island. This beautiful edition of Island of the Blue Dolphins is enriched with 12 full-page watercolor paintings by Ted Lewin, illustrator of more than 100 children's books, including Ali, Child of the Desert. A gripping story of battling wild dogs and sea elephants, this simply told, suspenseful tale of survival is also an uplifting adventure of the spirit. (Ages 9 to 12)

Book Description

In the Pacific, there is an island that looks like a big fish sunning itself in the sea. Around it blue dolphins swim, otters play, and sea birds abound. Karana is the Indian girl who lived alone for years on the Island of the Blue Dolphins. Hers is not only an unusual adventure of survival, but also a tale of natural beauty and personal discovery.

Customer Reviews:

Indian.......2007-10-01

White people found her people and took them off island with lie of freedom. She escaped and remain on island with brother. Wolves eat brother. She walk alone and with a special wolf who is kind to her. one day she enter a water cave, found out the truth about her people fate. her people died and she survived. one day white people return to the island once again, she finally allow herself to join them. she became famous and she is buried in california. her clothing is in museum in Italy. wonderful story of her courage life.

Enchanting and riveting, this story will stay with you.......2007-08-27

I have to smile when reading these other reviews that say this book was one of their favorites as a child. It also was mine. I've read so many books, that most times the memory of the details within them grow dim, but not with "Island of the Blue Dolphins". I can still picture the breathtaking beauty of the island where Karana spent her growing years. I still remember her joys and trials of living alone for so long, after everyone had left. Her ingenuity and strength still amazes me. I can't wait until my children are old enough so I can enjoy this Newberry book with them. It's definitely one in a million.

Island Of The Blue Dolphins!.......2007-08-19

When I was on vacation at Martha's Vinyard I went to the book store and bought Island Of The Blue Dolphins for myself and I loved it!! I love it so much because of it's beautiful discriptions and details that I can picture in my mind. This book is beautifully written and has wonderful detail of natural survival of hunting, and making friends (Rontu and Rontu-Aru and the English girl Tutok, the fox and Won-a-nee the otter). How many wonderful and beautiful adventures of exciting survival can one indian girl have? I am 10 years old and recommend this book to whoever loves reading and is a fan of detail and beauty!!!!!!!!

May be too adult for 10 or 11 yr olds.......2007-08-15

My 11 yr old enjoyed this book but says it was too sad for her taste. Kids!

good.......2007-08-13

THIS BOOK WAS FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER. She liked it very much. I am looking for some other books for 7th graders do you have any suggestions?

The Encyclopedia of North American Indians

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The Encyclopedia of North American Indians

Manufacturer: Marshall Cavendish Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0761402276

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Alexie Does It
Despite some turbulence, it is well worth the flight.
A typical boy in an untypical world...
Finally a Book that Goes Against the Grain
"We're all the same people. And we are all falling."

Flight: A Novel
Sherman Alexie
Manufacturer: Grove Press, Black Cat
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0802170374

Book Description

The best-selling author of multiple award-winning books returns with his first novel in ten years, a powerful, fast and timely story of a troubled foster teenager — a boy who is not a “legal” Indian because he was never claimed by his father — who learns the true meaning of terror. About to commit a devastating act, the young man finds himself shot back through time on a shocking sojourn through moments of violence in American history. He resurfaces in the form of an FBI agent during the civil rights era, inhabits the body of an Indian child during the battle at Little Big Horn, and then rides with an Indian tracker in the 19th Century before materializing as an airline pilot jetting through the skies today. When finally, blessedly, our young warrior comes to rest again in his own contemporary body, he is mightily transformed by all he’s seen. This is Sherman Alexie at his most brilliant — making us laugh while breaking our hearts. Simultaneously wrenching and deeply humorous, wholly contemporary yet steeped in American history, Flight is irrepressible, fearless, and again, groundbreaking Alexie.

Customer Reviews:

Alexie Does It.......2007-10-10

I've been reading Alexie's work lately and reading FLIGHT has lead me to be even more enthusiastic about his writing. His words suck you into the emotion of the main character, Zits, and takes you with him on his journey to find his identity as a foster, 21st century Indian boy. As a pre-service English teacher, I thought of how this book would be responded to in a high school classroom. Despite some of the provocative language (which really is a minute factor) used in certain situations, this is a great text to expose to high school students with its ability to raise topics for discussion and controversial issues that expand further than just adolescent identity.
A big aspect of FLIGHT is the idea of the 21st century Indian which has been a talked about issue recently. There are so may subjects and controversies packed into Alexie's book that it's possible to find a deeper meaning within each one of his words. I highly recommend this text to any high school student or adult.

Despite some turbulence, it is well worth the flight........2007-10-10

Sherman Alexie's Flight reminds us all that we seek love and need love. The novel's protagonist, "Zits" is a wayward teenager who is victimized by the foster-care system and as a result wrestles with shame, alienation and self. Zits draws the reader in as he narrates this tale with a matter-of-fact tone and a sardonic sense of humor that only a teenager of his circumstance could own. After another one of Zit's attempts at running away, the altruistic Officer Dave catches him; Officer Dave is Zits only true friend. In describing Dave, Zits claims, "the wounded always recognize the wounded. We can smell each other." These open wounds are the catalysts that turn a routine visit to kid jail into something more sinister; it is on this visit, that the susceptible Zits comes under the spell of another Juvenile Delinquent named "Justice" and decides to become his brother in arms. While faced with a critical decision, initiated by the charismatic Justice, Zits's conscience soars-literally. We find our selves taken along for the ride as Zits snatches bodies and thrusts us into a series of alternate consciousness. We become an FBI agent, an Indian boy, an Indian tracker, an adulterous man caught with his paramour and even Zits's own father. Aside from gripping action, all this body snatching serves a purpose; these characters act as vehicles for Zits to come to terms with his dubious and heart breaking past. If you want to know whether or not Zits follows Justice's flawed and mad reasoning to his own death, read this novel! Although getting to the destination is riddled with turbulence, it is well worth the flight.

A typical boy in an untypical world..........2007-10-10

This is how Alexie brings us in! He introduces us to a character that we are already familiar with no matter how old we are - the typical troubled, "bad boy" teen. Through the first few chapters, we begin with an, "Ah, I know this boy" attitude. Then, his "typical" bad boy life changes. He goes places none of us have before. But, we still want to follow him because we "know" him, or at least someone like him. On the surface, the entire novel seems like a young teenage boy and his unexpected journeys through time. However, we can look so much deeper than that. It seems, through his time travel, Zits is making commentary on real world and societal issues and is not afraid to say it. In the beggining, he uses the teenage language and laid back "I don't care" attitude to introduce concepts of murder, culture, citizenship, identity, friendship, etc. We may almost pass him off as a troubled teen with an attitude problem. However, his extreme detail and analysis of his time travel proves to us that in every time and place in the world there are major contradictions between what we are told/taught and what actually happens and how people actually feel.
Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I do feel that adolescents might have trouble with it. As a college student reading it for school, I had trouble stopping to jot down notes or putting the book down. In the begining, when I would leave the book, I felt like I had no idea what was going on. I could make new predictions every other chapter as to if this person really was Zits, if it was a dream, time travels, a nightmare, etc. and sometimes my predictions were way off. Just when I thought I knew what was happening I realized I didn't. Although predicting and repredicting was fun for me, I think it may cause the "anti-reading" adolescent student trouble. I enjoy being confused and I enjoy every twist and turn, but I'm not sure a majority of adolescents would. However, because of the literary beauty, terrific writing, great story and underlying commentary, I believe trying to get adolescents to read this novel is definitely worth a shot!

Finally a Book that Goes Against the Grain.......2007-10-10

What can't there be said about this book? If you want a book that sugar-coats language and hides hard-hitting issues, do not pick up "Flight" by, Sherman Alexie. However, if you enjoy reading real teen issues and are not resistant to language, (even profanities) then this book is definitely for you.

Alexie does a fantastic job in creating a teen who faces many problems that many teenagers today can relate to while also using language that many teens are accustomed to. The character "Zits" is the poster child for everything that can go wrong for a teenager in today's world while still maintaining an amazing sense of humor. His telling of the story and constant interruption of thoughts has readers literally "laughing out loud."

Open-minded adults and kids everywhere will most definitely enjoy this book!

"We're all the same people. And we are all falling." .......2007-10-10

"Call me Zits. Everybody calls me Zits...My real name isn't important." From the first few lines of Sherman Alexie's Flight, the reader is aware that this young adolescent struggles from a lack of self-worth. This adolescent boy of mixed blood (American and Indian)presents a bit of his past to the reader within the first chapter of the novel. Having lived with 20 foster families by age 15, he forces the reader to feel pity for him, regardless of his negative behavior. I found myself granting clemency for his actions due to his past experiences.
This boy is lonely, disappointed,scared, angry, unsure and longs to be loved. It is not until he takes "flight" on this journey that his life changes.
Zits represents and speaks to every adolescent who struggles with stereotypes, self identity, cultural identity, family and love for self. Where the novel is bit graphic and the language a bit vulgar, it is still a novel I would teach in a secondary classroom. The way Catcher in the Rye related to students years ago, Flight relates to students of today.
Flight embodies so many themes, that every English teacher desires to touch upon. A must read for everyone!

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Beautiful story
The choice
Fantasict
you will love this book
A great childhood book about history

The Sign of the Beaver
Elizabeth George Speare
Manufacturer: Yearling
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0440479002
Release Date: 1984-07-01

Product Description

. Young Matt is alone in the Maine wilderness awaiting his father's return to their cabin when he is attacked by a swarm of bees. To his surprise, he is saved by an Indian chief and his grandson, Attean. The boys come to know each other, many months pass without a sign of Matt's family. Then Attean asks Matt to join the Beaver tribe. Should Matt abandon his hopes for his father's return and join his new family up north? Paperback.

Amazon.com

When his father returns East to collect the rest of the family, 13-year-old Matt is left alone to guard his family's newly built homestead. One day, Matt is brutally stung when he robs a bee tree for honey. He returns to consciousness to discover that his many stings have been treated by an old Native American and his grandson. Matt offers his only book as thanks, but the old man instead asks Matt to teach his grandson Attean to read. Both boys are suspicious, but Attean comes each day for his lesson. In the mornings, Matt tries to entice Attean with tales from Robinson Crusoe, while in the afternoons, Attean teaches Matt about wilderness survival and Native American culture. The boys become friends in spite of themselves, and their inevitable parting is a moving tribute to the ability of shared experience to overcome prejudice. The Sign of the Beaver was a Newbery Honor Book; author Elizabeth Speare has also won the Newbery Medal twice, for The Witch of Blackbird Pond and The Bronze Bow. (Ages 12 and older) --Richard Farr

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful story.......2007-09-14

This is a great book about a boy who forms a friendship with and Indian boy named Attean, and in fact with his entire family. I found it a pleasure to read, because it offered a different historical perspective than most books that come from the white man's perspective. While Matt was white, most of the book is filled with his interactions with the Indian people. We get a glimpse of how they lived, and how very practical it was as opposed to the white man's way of life. It was more in tune with the land, for sure.

I'm getting off track, but I was very touched by the story. Matt is essentially invited to join the Beaver tribe by Attean and his grandfather, and Attean calls him his brother. The warm acceptance that grew between the two boys was heartwarming, and toward the end it brought tears to my eyes, but not due to sadness; instead due to the love the two boys shared.

The choice.......2007-06-05

This book is about A boy named Matt who builds a cabin with his father and then his father leaves him alone to pick up the rest of his family. Now Matt is alone and puts marks by every day that passes.Then Matt meets an indian named attean and they become friends. Now Matt is teaching Attean to read and write and Attean is teaching Matt how to survive on his own. then time goes by and his dad never returned so Ateean is asking Matt to head north with the beaver tribe and Matt does not know if he should go with Attean or wait for his father.

Fantasict.......2007-05-30

You will think this book is fantastic because it's really interesting to see how the indians live.The beginning of the book starts out kinda of slow but it starts getting really good after the indians save Matt from the bees.My favorite part of the book is when the indians start to like matt because this is the part of the book when Matt starts to learn how to start hunting and becomes friends with Attan

you will love this book .......2007-04-18

You will love this book because this book is an adventurous book. if you like books that envolve the olden days then you will love this book.you will want to read about what happens when the boy sees the hidden beaver signs and when the boy finds out that the indians saved his life.this book showws what could realy happen

A great childhood book about history.......2007-02-10

This lovely book is a great book to show children tolerance between cultures. It is a study of how one boy sees the Native Americans in a positive light. Matt is able to experience friendship, loyalty, and acceptance. I was touched at how the grandfather showed love towards Matt. Also, Attean's final gift to Matt shows how much he thought of Matt-generosity and sacrifice. It is interesting for its historical perspective too, as the work of the Native American woman was shown in this book!! A highly recommended read.

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I really liked this book
The Courage of Sarah Noble
The Story of Sarah Noble
The courage of Sarah Noble
The Courage of Sarah Noble

The Courage of Sarah Noble
Alice Dalgliesh
Manufacturer: Aladdin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0689715404

Book Description

In 1707, young Sarah Noble and her father traveled through the wilderness to build a new home for their family. "Keep up your courage, Sarah Noble," her mother had said, but Sarah found that it was not always easy to feel brave inside. The dark woods were full of animals and Indians, too, and Sarah was only eight!

The true story of Sarah's journey is inspiring. And as she cares for her father and befriends her Indian neighbors, she learns that to be afraid and to be brave is the greatest courage of all.

Customer Reviews:

I really liked this book.......2007-02-23

I liked this book because it's about Indians and Americans getting to know each other more. It's about a girl and her father that go on a journey to find a home in the wilderness. And it's a true story.

The Courage of Sarah Noble.......2007-02-10

Our class read The Courage of Sarah Noble. I liked this story for several reasons. First, I liked the part when the little Indians came to hear her read. I liked it when she said,''how her favorite indan was.'' I liked it when the father left her with Tall John. I learned some interesting facts. First, I learned that indans eat with their hands. Also,I learned that most indans are nice. The Courage of Sarah Noble is a good book.

The Story of Sarah Noble.......2007-02-10

Our class read The Courage of Sarah Noble. I liked this sory for several reasons. First,I like it because it tells about the past. I liked the part when Sarah had to eat with her hands. I learned some interesting facts. I learned that Native Americans picked wild berries and hunted. The Courage of Sarah Noble is a good book.

The courage of Sarah Noble.......2007-02-10

Our class read The Courage of Sarah Noble. I liked this story for several reasons. First I liked the part when the Indian childen played with me. Then, I like Tall John and his family. I also like when I read a book to the Indian children. I learned some interesting facts. First, I learned that Indian children can play with other children. Also I learned that Tall John knows how to speak a little English. I liked this interesting book.

The Courage of Sarah Noble.......2007-02-10

Our class read The Courage of Sarah Noble. I liked this story for several reasons. First,I liked it when the indian children came to hear her reading. I liked it when she made friends with the Indian brother and sister. I learned some interesting facts. I learned that the indians eat with their hands. I also learned that some indians are nice.The Courage of Sarah Noble.

A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History

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Great Historical/ Environmental Read
This book is fantastic for third graders!
This is one of the greatest books ever written.
Scenic AND educational!

A River Ran Wild: An Environmental History
Lynne Cherry
Manufacturer: Voyager Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0152163727

Book Description

From the author of the beloved classic The Great Kapok Tree, A River Ran Wild tells a story of restoration and renewal. Learn how the modern-day descendants of the Nashua Indians and European settlers were able to combat pollution and restore the beauty of the Nashua River in Massachusetts.

Customer Reviews:

Great Historical/ Environmental Read.......2007-03-21

Ages 10+
Follows the life of a river from Native American time through present and details the story of human destruction of a river and the human renewal of the resource. Definitely a read for grades 5+ due to the "urgency" of environmental destruction*we don't want to scare the kids to help them appreciate the resource*

This book is fantastic for third graders!.......1998-08-23

I used this book with my third grade class when they were studying the effects of water pollution on a large body of water. They had already studied Native Americans in second grade and this book just blended the two subjects together. The step by step portrayal of man's harm to the Nashua River helped my children learn about how they were harming the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Lynne Cherry is a fantastic author and presents two great subjects that are highly interesting to children. Any teacher that teaches either Native Americans or water pollution should include this book in their lessons!

This is one of the greatest books ever written........1997-12-24

This book was given to me at age 12. I am now 17 and it is still my favorite. I will never outgrow the beautiful pictures, or the very important lesson it teaches. Every page is expertly laid out, with exquisite paintings depicting the river and the era being discussed. The message of environmental conservation and protection is inspiring. Lynne Cherry makes this vital part of our existence understandable to young children, and even adults, often the harder group to reach. I highly reccommend this book for anyone who wants their children to appreciate the world around them and learn that they can, and should, do their best to save it.

Scenic AND educational!.......1997-03-16

This is a beautiful book! The illustrations are breathtaking and it follows an almost "illuminated" type of text structure, similar to that found in "The Mitten" by Jan Brett. Each page is bordered by illustrations of items pertaining to the period in history that the page is depicting - the implements used by Native peoples, animals that live by the river, inventions of the Industrial Revolution, etc. There is much more to talk about on each page than just the environmental theme of the book. This book would fit well in units about Native people, progress/inventions, ecology, water habitats, etc. A must-have for classrooms, homes, and teachers

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Ryan's Reveiw
Courtesy of Teens Read Too
evil star
Evil Star
The Name's Freeman: Matt Freeman

Gatekeepers: Evil Star (Gatekeepers)
Anthony Horowitz
Manufacturer: Scholastic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0439679966

Book Description

Matt thought his troubles were over when he closed Raven's Gate . . . but in fact they were just beginning. His fate -- and the fate of the world -- is tied to four other kids across the globe. The second is a street kid in Peru. He and Matt have never met; they don't even speak the same language. But destiny is going to throw them together as the evil threat of the Old Ones grows . . . and another Gate suddenly comes into play. Another masterful thriller from supernaturally suspenseful Anthony Horowitz.

Customer Reviews:

Ryan's Reveiw.......2007-05-23

I thought this book was way better than Raven's Gate. The story just gets better and better.

This book is about Matt going to Peru because the Nexus believes there is another gate and it's supposed to open soon. So Matt goes to Peru and as he's leaving the aiport, they get ambushed. Richard gets kiddnaped and Matt gets away. He then meets a boy named Pedro. Pedro takes him to a place called Poison town. Matt gets a whole new look because the cops are after him. He goes on a wild journey through town, through jungles. After they come out from the Cloud Forest, Matt meets the Incas, an ancient civilazation, and they beleive that Pedro is one of the five. They go to a labratory in a town because they think it will stop the gate from opening. They fight guards and then they find out the gate is still opening so they get sent all the way into a desert by a helecopter. The helecopter crashes and Pedro broke his ankle and he can't fight. Matt goes out alone and then he watches in horror as the Old Ones come out of the ground. Will the Matt win and save the world or will the king of the Old Ones detroy Matt and take over the world...

I think this book is great for someone who likes actionbooks and people 10 or older.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too.......2007-05-05

EVIL STAR is the second book in the Anthony Horowitz series called THE GATEKEEPERS.

In book one, titled Raven's Gate (The Gatekeepers), main character Matt discovers he is one of five specially chosen teens. Their purpose is to save the world. Matt doesn't know the other five and must "close" Raven's Gate on his own. As the second book, EVIL STAR, begins, Matt finds himself in Peru meeting up with Pedro, who turns out to be one of the chosen five.

Matt and Pedro join forces, although it isn't easy since Matt speaks only English and Pedro speaks Spanish. Their unusual connection does allow them to communicate while in a dream state. They learn each others' stories and realize that their paths will someday cross the paths of their remaining team.

Together Matt and Pedro must find and prevent the opening of the second gate. Its history is intertwined with the ancient Incas and the Peruvian culture. As they search the seamier side of Peru, they encounter kidnapping, gun battles, the evil "big headed" Salamanda, high altitude jungle treks, and terrifying helicopter rides. Exactly what is the Evil Star and can they find the next gate in time to close it and save the world from the Old Ones?

Horowitz provides his usual fast-paced, non-stop action in this new series. It is sure to impress his already established fans and create plenty of new ones.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

evil star.......2007-04-25

i recomend this series i just bought night rise upon the completion of evil star. evil star is amazing and so is horowitz.

Evil Star.......2007-04-13

Evil Star
Evil Star by Anthony Horowitz is an amazing, action packed and fun to read book that I would recommend to anyone of ages ten and up. The story starts in the English town York, where Matthew
Freeman lives and goes to school. There he is asked by a secretive group to retrieve a diary. Along the way he ends up finding a dead man and loses the diary. After that he goes to Peru and meets a strange boy named Pedro. Pedro turns out to be very helpful and in a few situations he saves matt's life. Then, while trying to save matt's friend, Richard Cole, they uncover a mysterious plan made by Senior Salamanda to take over the world. But little does Salamanda know what he is messing with.
Matt is an intelligent boy, he is tall and has short brown hair. In the beginning of the series he was just a normal teenager who got into a lot of trouble until the Leaf Project sent him away in the first book, Ravens Gate. In Evil Star he ends up lost and confused in the winding streets of Peru instead of a distant farm way out in the country. There, his car is attacked, his friend is kidnapped and the driver is shot. Then he finds Pedro and Pedro takes Matt to the man he works for to get him help. To me, Matt seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time but somehow he manages to deal with it.
You should read this book not because I am recommending it, but because it is a great series that you can really get into.

The Name's Freeman: Matt Freeman.......2007-03-13

Mathew Freeman is a boy of thirteen years of age living with a greedy Aunt named Gwenda Davis in London. At the age of eight years old Matt's parents were killed in a car accident on the way to a wedding. A strange thing happened though. The night prior to the day of the wedding, Matt had a dream that his parents would be killed in a car accident the next day. Right before they were all about to leave Matt suddenly said that he did not want to go with his parents to the wedding. He was an only child and was a bit spoiled so naturally they agreed to let him stay with their neighbor, Ms. Green. Then later that morning a constable comes to their neighbor's house and tells Matt that his parents died on the way to the wedding. He then fosters out and goes to live with Gwenda Davis. Gwenda and her boyfriend then spend the fortune left to Matt by his parents . Matt then starts hanging out with a seventeen year old boy named Kelvin. He ends up getting busted as an accessory to murder while trying to rob an electronics warehouse. He is then put in the LEAF project and he is sent with an old lady to a small town named Lesser Malling which is a town full of vampires. He then runs into a secret organization called the Nexus which is dedicated to fighting ancient evil beings called the Old Ones from coming to Earth through inter-dimensional gates. Matt finds out he is part of the five original gatekeepers born to keep the gates from opening. The first one is Ravens Gate. There are four boys and one girl. Matt will me new people and will be helped and hurt on his journey to destroy Ravens Gate. Matt survives life with Mrs.Deverell his new foster vampire parent. Will he succeed? Who are the Old Ones? Will Mathew Freeman survive Ravens Gate? This book answers all these questions as New York times Best-Selling author Anthony Horowitz does it again in Ravens Gate.

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Island of the Blue Dolphins Audio Book on CD
great for 4th grader!
Review of a book
Review of a Great Book.

Island of the Blue Dolphins
Scott O'Dell
Manufacturer: Listening Library (Audio)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: 0307243168
Release Date: 2005-05-10

Book Description

In the Pacific there is an island that looks like a big fish sunning itself in the sea. Around it, blue dolphins swim, otters play, and sea elephants and sea birds abound. Once, Indians also lived on the island. And when they left and sailed to the east, one young girl was left behind.

This is the story of Karana, the Indian girl who lived alone for years on the Island of the Blue Dolphins. Year after year, she watched one season pass into another and waited for a ship to take her away. But while she waited, she kept herself alive by building a shelter, making weapons, finding food, and fighting her enemies, the wild dogs. It is not only an unusual adventure of survival, but also a tale of natural beauty and personal discovery.

From the Paperback edition.

Customer Reviews:

Island of the Blue Dolphins Audio Book on CD.......2007-08-09

The book was well read on this CD. The sound effects were good. It made the story come alive as we listened. I would recommed this CD especially for children needing to read this story for school.

great for 4th grader!.......2007-01-10

My son has learning challenges when it comes to reading and comprehension, so I ordered this book on cd for him. It worked wonderfully! Although he followed along in his book, it helped him a lot.

Review of a book.......2006-12-02

In the book indians lived on an the island.Tt was a very nice and happy life for the indians until the Russians came.When the Russians came they looked like they were honest.They that come to hunt otter.When the Russians left they killed a lot of people.The Russians killed Karana's father.Then all the villagers left the island and went to the east.Karana's little brother was left behind and she was on the ship.She knew her brother wouldn't be able to live by himself.So she jumped of the boat and went to save him.Then they both lived on the island alone.Then a ship comes for her.

Review of a Great Book........2006-12-02

On an island that looks like a big fish sunning itself on the sea, there were indaians living on that island many years ago. The villagers are taken by a ship to the east,but a girl was left behind. Her name is Karana and she waits for the ship to come back to her to take her. While waiting, she battles the nature that is on the island. It is not just a book of survival, it is also a book of beauty and battling lonelyness on the island.

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Wonderfully Insightful Narrative of Native American Life Early in This Century
half and half
1847 from the Perspective of an Ojibwa Child
2 Thumbs up
A Very Good Read!

Birchbark House, The
Louise Erdrich
Manufacturer: Hyperion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0786814543
Release Date: 2002-05-13

Amazon.com

Readers will be riveted by the daily life of this Native American family, in which tanning moose hides, picking berries, and scaring crows from the cornfield are as commonplace as encounters with bear cubs and fireside ghost stories. Erdrich--a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwa--spoke to Ojibwa elders about the spirit and significance of Madeline Island, read letters from travelers, and even spent time with her own children on the island, observing their reactions to woods, stones, crayfish, bear, and deer. The author's softly hewn pencil drawings infuse life and authenticity to her poetic, exquisitely wrought narrative. Omakayas is an intense, strong, likable character to whom young readers will fully relate--from her mixed emotions about her siblings, to her discovery of her unique talents, to her devotion to her pet crow Andeg, to her budding understanding of death, life, and her role in the natural world. We look forward to reading more about this brave, intuitive girl--and wholeheartedly welcome Erdrich's future series to the canon of children's classics. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson

Book Description

Nineteenth-century American pioneer life was introduced to thousands of young readers by Laura Ingalls Wilder's beloved Little House books. With The Birchbark House, award-winning author Louise Erdrich's first novel for young readers, this same slice of history is seen through the eyes of the spirited, 7-year-old Ojibwa girl Omakayas, or Little Frog, so named because her first step was a hop. The sole survivor of a smallpox epidemic on Spirit Island, Omakayas, then only a baby girl, was rescued by a fearless woman named Tallow and welcomed into an Ojibwa family on Lake Superior's Madeline Island, the Island of the Golden-Breasted Woodpecker. We follow Omakayas and her adopted family through a cycle of four seasons in 1847, including the winter, when a historically documented outbreak of smallpox overtook the island. Readers will be riveted by the daily life of this Native American family, in which tanning moose hides, picking berries, and scaring crows from the cornfield are as commonplace as encounters with bear cubs and fireside ghost stories. Erdrich--a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwa--spoke to Ojibwa elders about the spirit and significance of Madeline Island, read letters from travelers, and even spent time with her own children on the island, observing their reactions to woods, stones, crayfish, bear, and deer. The author's softly hewn pencil drawings infuse life and authenticity to her poetic, exquisitely wrought narrative. Omakayas is an intense, strong, likable character to whom young readers will fully relate--from her mixed emotions about her siblings, to her discovery of her unique talents, to her devotion to her pet crow Andeg, to her budding understanding of death, life, and her role in the natural world. We look forward to reading more about this brave, intuitive girl--and wholeheartedly welcome Erdrich's future series to the canon of children's classics. (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson

Customer Reviews:

Wonderfully Insightful Narrative of Native American Life Early in This Century.......2007-07-26

This sweet, tender, sometimes humorous book, chronicles a year in the life of Omakayas, a seven year old girl who lives with her tribe on an island near Lake Superior. The book is divided into four main sections, each relating to a season of the year, just as the Native America daily life is based. Through Omakayas, children learn as they read about how she helps build a birch bark house, how she does her chores, and many other important details of Native American life. This makes the book especially invaluable for the fifth grade Social Studies curriculum. Many Native American words are used throughout this book, but this is done in a manner which makes their meaning apparent. There is even a glossary for these words in the back of the book. Children will love this book as Omakayas makes friends with animals and deals with feelings about her family, loss, fear, happiness, and contentment, as well as other feelings familiar to the young reader.

half and half.......2007-03-02

We had to read the Birchbark House for a 7th grade class assignment. I thought this book was kind of interesting, because it had some funny parts and some sad parts in the middle of the story. In the beginning it was really boring. Sometimes it's hard to understand because they used a lot of Indian words but they provide a glossary. I think thee book could use some more funny and violent parts to get people interested to read more. I gave this book 3 stars because it was an o.k. book. It was kind of boring in the beginning but it got a lot better. It needed more funny parts. It was a good book but not one I would have picked. I would recommend this book to high schoolers, but they have to have a little Indian in them to understand you must like: sad, boring, exciting, and funny to enjoy this book.

1847 from the Perspective of an Ojibwa Child.......2006-04-28

The Birchbark House (originally published in 1999) is the story of a year in the life of a seven-year-old girl and her Ojibwa family, living on an island in Lake Superior in 1847. The book was written by Louise Erdrich, herself a member of the Turtle Band of Ojibwa (former name: Anishinabe). The Birchbark House takes place during the same time frame as Little House on the Prairie, and the two books share certain similarities. However, The Birchbark House illustrates that time frame from the perspective of the Native Americans, who fear being pushed ever Westward by white people. It includes many Ojibwa words and customs, and Ms. Erdrich does a wonderful job of conveying the sense of harmony that the Ojibwa share with their surroundings.

The Birchbark House is told from the point of view of young Omakayas (Little Frog), so named because her first step was a hop. She lives with her parents (when her father isn't away working as a fur trader), her grandmother, her older sister Angeline, and her two younger brothers, Pinch and Neewo. As the book begins, the family is moving to their summer fishing camp in a birchbark house by the lake. The reader quickly comes to know Omakayas. She is bright and quick. She admires and envies her beautiful older sister, and adores her baby brother Neewo. Pinch, on the other hand, is the bane of her existence, and we see that sibling rivalries easily transcend cultural backgrounds. The characters of Omakayas' entire family are realistically drawn.

At first, this book seems like a pleasant, easy read, with descriptions of berrying and scaring away crows from the corn, and harvesting rice. Soon, however, Erdrich begins to deal with larger issues, related to the encroachment of the white people, the dreaded small-pox, and the possibility of starvation during the harsh winter. I was stunned by how bleak things became, relative to the early joyfulness. But in the end, the book offers hope.

I listened to this book on MP3, and thought that the narration was excellent. The Native American voice of the grandmother, in particular, was quite compelling. And I'll remember the voice of the family's pet crow for quite some time, squawking out "Gego, Pinch".

I think that this would be a perfect companion book for anyone reading the Little House books, showing another side to the story. The Ojibwa words should also lend themselves well to read-aloud for younger kids. The book is targeted to middle grade readers, probably up to about 7th grade. However, because there are sad parts to the book, I would strongly recommend that parents read the book themselves, too. Without being heavy handed about it, The Birchbark House opens the door to discussions about how Native Americans were treated during the 1800s, what constitutes a family, survival, and respect for elders. And it's also fun, too! Really, it's a wonderful book, and I'm glad that I finally got around to listening to it. I highly recommend it.

This review was originally published on my blog, Jen Robinson's Book Page, on April 27th, 2006.

2 Thumbs up.......2005-09-29

Interesting piece of literature to do a multicultural lesson if you are a teacher.

If not, then it is great to familiarize oneself with the Natives of the land.

A Very Good Read!.......2005-09-26

The Birchbarck House was a fun quick read. I needed it for a Native American class and the book was a wonderful and factual sorce for information on North East Native Americans! I would say that this is a good read for anyone who wants an interesting read along with the historical backround!

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endearing story

Boat Ride with Lillian Two Blossom
Patricia Polacco
Manufacturer: Philomel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0399214704

Customer Reviews:

endearing story.......2001-04-29

As a maker of cloth dolls, I am always on the lookout for books with wonderful illustrations. Imagine my delight when I also found a book with a sweet, simple story. The best kind for small children and the children's heart within adults. I will definitely buy more of her books to add to my collection.

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