To Do With a Book: Island of the Blue Dolphins

Island of the Blue Dolphins is Scott O'Dell's classic tale of Karana, a girl who lives alone for many years.  It's based on a true story about a girl who had lived off the coast of California.  Island of the Blue Dolphins won O'Dell the Newberry Medal in 1961.  When the girls book group read Island of the Blue Dolphins, it inspired lots of interesting discussions. Most of the girls really enjoyed it, and a few loved it and have read it multiple times.  (A few girls later confided they did not like it.  It is that kind of book!)

In just looking around a little, I found this wonderful story from fellow acclaimed author Lois Lowry about first meeting him.  You might have to scroll down a bit to get to the story, but it is quite worthwhile.

The most interesting discussion was wondering whether or not we would like (both girls and moms) to be on an island alone for any length of time, and what would be hardest.  Some girls would want to be there for a short while, others just during the day.

Most girls wanted to be able to see or to make a cormorant skirt, or an otter cape, as Karana makes for herself during her many years.  I was struck by how Karana still makes things of beauty .  We had to content ourselves with beading some pretty (for Karana, "win-tai") bracelets from dark-colored beads and shells.

One of the moms brought and expertly prepared seared scallops for the girls, so they could taste what Karana's mostly-fish diet was like.  Most had not had them before, and some even pronounced them "sweet."

Of course, American Girl dolls just ask to be dressed up as characters, and so here is Karana (with a vaccum attachment representing her hunting knife), Rantu & Rantu-Aru, and Tu-ok.  There could be lots more to do with Island of the Blue Dolphins.   Any other ideas?