Island of the Blue Dolphins

This book is classic reading for every 4th grader in California. I crack up because I read this as a four grader in public school 30 years ago, and now all three of my kids have read it as fourth graders in private school. I really like this particular edition because the font is very easy to read, the pages aren’t easily ripped because the publisher used quality paper, and the book is not heavily. Our kids’ backpacks are already so heavy, so ounces easily become pounds. I also really appreciated the next day shipping, as my 10 year old informed me on Saturday afternoon that he had to have it for school on Monday.

When I was in grade school, we had a program where every month we could take home a two page list of books to buy. It was like gold to us as children for during the entire year it was the only things we were ever allowed to purchase and the only gifts we got besides Christmas. I was an inveterate reader and wanted to expand my little library. One month I selected after much perusal, " The Island of the Blue Dolphins," the story of a little girl, left alone on an island to spend the winter months and what she did to survive step by step and how she felt, her emotions of despair and fear, and hope. To me, it was the first book I had ever read that did not treat me like I was Dick and Jane and Spot. I was treated as young reader who could understand the emotions of a young girl my own age and how she did something and survived through what I thought I could never do. It was my most memorable book ever, the bridge into womanhood and to solid reading. I told my own two girls about this precious book when they were in grade school and one day my youngest came home from school with it. She had found it in the school library ! She also had her opportunity to buy it at her school, and when I looked for it on Amamazon , there it was! I had to have my own copy again, to reread the precious book of my youth and also to have thee book that changed my reading habits forever and I needed to own it, to complete my now large library. I recommend this beautiuful story, this wonderful, exciting adventure of a young girl to everyone of every age. You will love this story. The book came in perfect condition and very quickly.

Exactly what I ordered.

What a different read than my personal norm! This was an assignment for my son so I decided to read sling with him and became so engrossed in this novel I couldn’t WAIT for him to come home on reading days to find out what happened next! I laughed and, surprisingly, cried in this book! It really got me in the feels as it was based off a true story and the h, Karana became my own personal hero! She was left on an island all alone for 20yrs and the antics she got up to, the horrors she had to endure, the friends she made, the lessons she learned. All of it, so real, so visceral so touching. Love, love LOVED this little book. Way more than my son did so lucky for him I was so into it as it helped him with book questions at the end! 😂🤣

Great kids gift who loves to read

Wife loves this story.

As a dad, I wanted something more substantial to read to my kids before bed. I wanted something in the vein of "Hatchet", or "My side of the moutain", which I loved as a young boy. I needed something more relatable to my girls however, and after racking my brain I remembered this gem, and was so glad I did. It's a great book, no doubt. But the better part for me was the additional learning we did to understand some of the words in the context. What is an abalone? What would a cormorant feather dress look like? The devil fish sounds like an animal we know!!! What is it?? My girls, 4 and 8, each took their own lessons away from this book, and I have no doubt it's something that will stick with them as they grow into young women.

I remember reading this book when I was much younger. And I don't know that it hit me the same when I was younger as it did now. The book was beautiful. It was amazing how a book with one character and mostly only animals to socialize with could hit so hard. The character was very strong to live by herself for so many years. The things she was able to do and accomplish was impressive. I would recommend this story.