Welcome to 6th grade!
Are you interested in reading adventurous stories about survival? A good
book can touch our lives like a good friend. Within its pages are words and
characters that can inspire us to achieve our highest goals. A good book can give
us a cherished story to hold in our hearts forever.
In Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell, Karana, an Indian girl, lives
the ideal life with her people on an island off the California coast. They are
peaceful people who live as one with the island and its environment. All this
changes, however, with the arrival of a big ship with red sails. As you read this
novel, you will learn about the courageous journey of a young girl in her quest for
survival and forgiveness.
In your packet, you will need to complete the following chapter questions.
Answer the questions in complete sentences, writing in cursive only. Use a pencil
to write in your packet.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD
your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Name: ____________________________
Summer Reading
Island of the Blue Dolphins
by
Scott O’Dell
-Name and briefly describe the main character:
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-Setting (Time and place): ____________________________________________________
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-Main Conflict (Major event that changes the life of the main character):
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Chapters 1-5
1. At first, what does Ramo think the Aleut ship is?
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2. What is the hunting arrangement that is mutually agreed upon between
Captain Orlov and Chief Chowig?
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3. Why does Chief Chowig not want his people to visit the hunters in their village
or otherwise befriend them?
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4. Briefly describe what happens when the Aleuts decide to leave the island. Do
the Aleuts live up to their side of the previously arranged agreement?
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Chapters 6-10
5. What is the first problem the villagers have to worry about after their first winter
without Kimki?
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6. What precaution do the villagers take in case the Aleuts return?
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7. What does Kimki do upon reaching safety?
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8. How do Ramo and his sister get stranded alone on the island?
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9. Who becomes the new Chief of Ghalas-at after the rescuing ship has left?
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10. What new, dangerous threat does Karana face on the island?
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11. Why is Karana so determined to kill all of the dogs in the island?
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Chapters 11-18
12. After the sea elephants’ fight, Karana is too ill to leave her house. Why?
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13. When does Karana decide that she is ready to hunt the wild dogs and to kill
the leader of the pack?
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14. How does she capture the leader?
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15. When does Karana decide that it is safe to sleep in the house with the big,
gray dog?
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16. What material does she use to build a fence around her new house?
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17. When spring returns (Chapter 18), what animal does Karana begin to train?
How does it pick up her spirits?
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Chapters 19-22
18. Why did Karana risk her safety to try to capture the giant devilfish?
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19. How does Karana finally catch the sea devil?
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20. What almost happens to Karana when she ventures into the cave that she
calls the “Dark Cave”?
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21. Even though the Aleuts camp only half a league from Karana’s ravine, why
does she continue to stay there?
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22. What does Karana make in the cave to help her pass the time?
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23. What gift of friendship does she give to Tutok?
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Chapters 23-29
24. What preparations does Karana take every summer in case the Aleuts
return?
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25. Karana’s attitude toward the animals of her island changed. Why?
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26. What steps does Karana take to capture and make a pet of Rontu’s son?
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27. How do the men from the ship locate Karana’s house on the headland after
so many others could not find it?
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28. After reaching Santa Barbara, what does Father Gonzalez tell Karana had
happened to the ship that carried her people from the island so many years
before?
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