# Island of the Blue Dolphins

**Author:** Scott O'Dell
**Lexile:** 1000L
**Grade range:** Grades 4–7
**Age range:** 9–12
**First published:** 1960
**Page count:** 192
**Genre:** Historical Fiction (Middle Grade)
**ISBN-13:** `9780547328614`
**ISBN-10:** `0547328613`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/island-of-the-blue-dolphins
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

Karana, a young Nicoleño girl, survives alone on an island off the California coast for 18 years — based on the true story of Juana Maria. O'Dell's Newbery Medal novel is a universal 5th-6th grade assignment and Common Core Appendix B exemplar.

## Themes

- survival
- solitude
- indigenous identity
- nature
- resilience

## Content notes

- death of family members
- isolation
- colonial encounters

Common Sense Media age recommendation: 10+

## Where this book is assigned

### Common Core State Standards (ELA)

- **required** · 5th grade — [source: CCSS ELA Appendix B, grades 4-5 Newbery Medal](https://achievethecore.org/page/2699)
- **required** · 5th grade · California — [source: CA CCSS ELA grade 5 — California-set canon](https://www.cde.ca.gov/)

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