Island of the
Blue Dolphins
by Scott O’Dell
Name
Date
Period
PREDICT
After hearing about the Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island, and information about Scott O’Dell’s
life, predict some of the things you think will happen in this book.
1
SETTING
The outermost of the eight Channel Islands, San Nicolas is about 75 miles southwest of Los
Angeles, California. The Aleuts who invaded Karana’s island were people from the Aleutian
Islands, a chain of islands extending from the Alaskan peninsula. This story took place in the mid
1850s, before Alaska and the Aleutian Islands were a part of the United States.
MAPPING SKILLS
Label the following places on the map:

Aleutian Islands

Alaska

Canada

United States

California

Oregon

San Nicolas Island

Pacific Ocean
2
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
One technique employed by accomplished authors, such as Scott O’Dell, is the use of figurative
language in their writing. Figurative language sparks the reader’s imagination and makes the
story come alive. You fill find that Scott O’Dell uses similes and metaphors in his writing.
Figurative Language: words that go beyond their defined meaning to create a vivid mental image.
Example: It was raining cats and dogs.
Literal Language: words that mean exactly what they say. Example: It rained four inches in two
days.
Simile: a type of figurative language, which uses like or as to show similarities between two
different things. Example: Gentle as a lamb.
Metaphor: a type of figurative language that says that one thing is another. Example: The Lord is
my Shepherd.
Read each figurative expression and discuss how its use enhanced the story. If the expression is a
simile, write “simile” next to the expression. If it is a metaphor, write “metaphor.”
1.
He was small for one who had lived so many suns and moons,
but quick as a cricket.
2.
“The sea is smooth,” Ramo said. “It is a flat stone without any
scratches.”
3.
In the morning when he crawls out of his tent he sits on a rock
and combs until the beard shines like a cormorant’s wing.
4.
The huts l9oked like ghosts in the cold light.
5.
There were many hummers which can stand still in the air and
look like bits of polished stone…
6.
…or the talk of the pelicans which sounds like the quarreling of
toothless old men.
7.
…and as the water lapped against the walls it sounded like the
soft music of a flute
8.
She was graceful and the skirt flowed around her like water, but I
hated the Aleuts and took it from her.
9.
There was a faint sound as if some giant animal were sucking the
air in and in through its teeth.
10.
Night came, but the earth still rose and fell like a great animal
breathing.
3
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
Write your own similes and metaphors about the following subjects:
1.
The sea
2.
The sky
3.
Rain
4.
Fear
5.
Dolphins
4
VISUALIZING THE SETTING
6.
Illustrate a map of Island of the Blue Dolphins. Draw and label the locations where key events
occur. Make sure to include a key and a scale. Include geographic terms you have learned in Social
Studies.
Write a description of the island.
5
PREDICTING
At the end of Chapter 3, predict what will happen when it is time for the Aleuts to go.
At the end of Chapter 4, what actually happens?
6
VOCABULARY – LIST 1
Complete the chart below. Be prepared to know the meaning and the spelling of the words each week. The teacher will announce each
test dates.
Word
Guess at meaning
Clues from the text to help
figure out what it means
Definition
league
Aleuts
conceal
reefs
profit
befriend
idle
kelp
gnaw
sinew
7
SEQUENCING
Event 1:
Children spot Aleut ship.
Event 2:
Event3:
Event 4:
Event 5:
Using the timeline provided, put the
following events from Chapters 1 through 10
in order. Three events have been done for
you.

Kimki elected new chief.

Karana jumps from ship.

Children spot Aleut ship.

Karana makes weapons.

Aleuts and islanders battle.

Ramo killed by wild dogs.

Argument about dividing catch.

Karana tries to flee.

Captain Orlov leaves without paying.

White men’s ship arrives.

Sea otter slaughtered.

Ramo runs to get spear.
Aleuts and islanders battle.
Event 6:
Event 7:
Event 8:
Event 9:
Event 10:
Ramo killed by wild dogs.
Event 11:
Event 12:
8
SUMMARIZING
Using the 12 events on the previous page, write a brief summary indicating what has happened
in Chapters 1 through 10. Do not just copy the events into a paragraph. Try to use transition
words to make the ideas flow from sentence to sentence.
Transitions are words or phrases that tie sentences together and allow the reader to move
smoothly from one idea to the next.
Examples of transition words and phrases:
Although,
As a result,
First,
Secondly
Finally
In addition
Next
However
Likewise
On the other hand
Nonetheless
Consequently
Therefore
Shortly after that
Meanwhile
Soon
Along the way
Before long
Earlier
After all of that
Later on, Eventually
An hour later
At last
Later
As soon as
Not a moment too soon
While this was happening
9
VOCABULARY – LIST 2
Complete the chart below. Be prepared to know the meaning and the spelling of the words each week. The teacher will announce each test dates.
Word
Guess at meaning
Clues from the text to help figure
out what it means
Definition
harvest
pursue
slain
carcass
pelts
whirring
surge
shirker
perish
pitched
10
FORMING AN OPINION
On the chart below, list reasons Karana may choose to stay on Ghalas-At, and reasons she may
choose to leave Ghalas-At.
Stay
Leave
Based on information you listed in the chart above, explain why you think Karana should stay on
the island or why she should leave.
11
CHAPTER SUMMARY -- Chapters 11 to 20
Write a brief summary explaining the main events that happened in these chapters. Try to use
transitions between your ideas -- do not overuse the word then.
As we read chapters 11 through 20, you can use the space below to write notes or draw pictures to remind you of
what happens in each chapter.
11
16
12
17
13
18
14
19
15
20
12
UNDERSTANDING DETAILS
Draw a picture and write a detailed description of Karana’s new home (from Chapter 12).
Draw a picture and write a detailed description of the devilfish (from Chapter 16).
13
VOCABULARY – LIST 3
Complete the chart below. Be prepared to know the meaning and the spelling of the words each week. The teacher will announce each test
dates.
Word
Guess at meaning
Clues from the text to help figure
out what it means
Definition
yucca fibers
gorged
lair
slink
omen
chafing
brackish
scallops
crevice
barbed
14
PROS AND CONS – FORMING AN OPINION
On the chart below, list reasons in favor (pro) of Karana making contact with the Aleuts and against
(con) Karana making contact with the Aleuts. (Chapter 21)
PRO
CON
In the space below, explain why you think that Karana should or should not make contact with the
Aleuts. Explain your answer.
What did Karana experience in Chapter 27?
15
CHAPTER SUMMARY -- Chapters 21 to 29
Write a brief summary explaining the main events that happened in these chapters. Try to use
transitions between your ideas -- do not overuse the word then.
As we read chapters 21 through 29, you can use the space below to write notes or draw pictures to remind you of what
happens in each chapter.
21
26
22
27
23
28
24
29
25
16
EVALUATIVE QUESTIONS
1.
Explain the concepts used by the author to show the passage of time.
2.
In Karana’s mind, what led to the death of her father? Use details from the story.
3.
What preparations were made for the eventual return of the Aleuts?
4.
If you had only a few minutes to decide what to take (limited space) what items would you
take and why?
17
5.
Describe plans you would make if you were on the island alone. Explain.
6.
Was Karana injured by her carelessness or the taboo of using a weapon? Give evidence
from the book. (Chapter 13)
7.
Why do you think Karana had a need for a cormorant skirt?
8.
What were your thoughts when Karana gave her secret name to Tutok?
18
9.
What changed so that Karana decided not to kill except for food?
10.
Do you consider Karana to be resourceful? Give several examples to prove your answer.
11.
Karana never gave up – describe her character and why she survived.
19