Karana’s tribe has lived on the Island of the Blue Dolphins for centuries, but a tragedy forces them to leave. When Karana gets left behind, she must learn to live alone.

For this book, we offer a mix of literary and informational texts to support your upcoming novel unit. These lessons are designed to build students’ reading comprehension and engagement.

6th Grade Informational Text 970L

The Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island

Jessica McBirney 2017
Passage Summary:

In the informational text "The Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island," Jessica McBirney shares the story of the woman who was left alone on San Nicolas Island for 18 years.

When and How to Pair:

Have students read “The Long Woman of San Nicolas Island” before reading the novel to introduce them to the true story that inspired the book, as well as historical background on the native peoples of San Nicolas Island. Ask students to consider, as they read, how Karana’s story compares to the true story of the lone woman of San Nicolas Island, and how well O’Dell captures life for natives on the Island of the Blue Dolphins.

8th Grade Poem

ICU

Grace Chua 2003
Passage Summary:

"ICU" is a poem that explores the difficulty of understanding the loss of a loved one.

When and How to Pair:

Have students read “ICU” after completing Chapter 4 to focus on the theme of losing a loved one. Ask students to compare the young speaker of the poem’s loss to Karana’s loss of her father. Ask students to consider how Karana feels about the death of her father and other tribe members as they read Chapter 5.

8th Grade Poem 900L

Making a Fist

Naomi Shihab Nye 1988
Passage Summary:

In this contemporary poem, a child has a realization about her own mortality.

When and How to Pair:

Have students read “Making a Fist” after reading Chapter 8 to focus on the theme of mortality. How does Karana react to her brother’s death? How does the speaker in the poem react to the idea of death? Ask students to compare and contrast both reactions. Ask students to consider, as they continue to read the novel, how Karana regards her control over her ability to survive alone on the island.

7th Grade Informational Text 1080L

Why Dolphins Make Us Nervous

Robert Krulwich 2013
Passage Summary:

In the informational text "Why Dolphins Man Us Nervous," Robert Krulwich discusses dolphins' intelligence and how it compares to humans' intelligence.

When and How to Pair:

Introduce “Why Dolphins Make Us Nervous” after students have completed Chapter 10, in order to provide them with insight into the human-dolphin connection Karana experiences. Ask students to use the article to analyze how Karana connects with the dolphins after she fails to make it off the island. Based on the background knowledge of dolphins that Krulwich provides, ask students why they think Karana gains strength and encouragement from the dolphins? How is this chapter a turning point for Karana and her relationship with the island?

9th Grade Short Story 1350L

Lobo, the King of Currumpaw

Ernest Seton Thompson 1898
Passage Summary:

This excerpt is taken from his book Wild Animals I Have Known, based on naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton's true experiences hunting wolves in the American Southwest, including the infamous wolf Lobo.

When and How to Pair:

Have students read “Lobo, the King of Currumpaw” after reading Chapter 15 in order to show students another example of a character hunting an animal as it relates to the theme of revenge. Ask students to compare Karana hunting the wild dogs that killed her brother to Seton’s description of hunting Lobo — how are the hunts similar? How are they different? What does each hunt reveal about the hunter’s culture?

7th Grade Poem

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

William Wordsworth 1802
Passage Summary:

In William Wordsworth's poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," the speaker describes seeing a field of daffodils.

When and How to Pair:

Have students read “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” after they have completed Chapter 18, in order to focus on the theme of joy and appreciation for nature. Ask students to discuss how Karana’s relationship to the island has developed, particularly in the context of the themes discussed within the poem. How does Wordsworth use imagery to reinforce the influence of nature? What are the similarities and differences to the way nature is described in the novel?

9th Grade Short Story 1300L

The Reef

Samuel Scoville, Jr. 1923
Passage Summary:

In this short story by American writer Samuel Scoville, Jr., a young Caribbean boy accompanied by his grandfather goes sponge diving in the reef where a tiger shark killed his father—and where he faces dangers of his own.

When and How to Pair:

Have students read “The Reef” after reading Chapter 19 to provide insight into the dangers of hunting on a reef. Ask students to compare the element of suspense when Karana hunts the “devilfish” (likely a giant Pacific octopus) to Jimmy Tom’s several encounters with dangerous aquatic animals in the short story. How do the authors treat suspense similarly? How does hunting and gathering affect life by the ocean for the characters in the stories? Is the hunt/search worth the risks for Karana and Jimmy Tom? Why or why not?

7th Grade Poem

Wilderness

Carl Sandburg 1918
Passage Summary:

In Carl Sandburg's "Wilderness," the speaker explains how he carries parts of the wilderness inside of himself.

When and How to Pair:

Have students read “Wilderness” after completing Chapter 24, in order to focus on the thematic connection between nature and the wild. Ask students to discuss how Karana has connected with the wildness of the island. How have the identities of both Karana and the speaker in the poem been formed around their interactions with animals and an understanding of nature?

7th Grade Poem

First Pet

Emma Bartley 2016
Passage Summary:

In Emma Bartley's "First Pet," the speaker describes a pet hermit crab.

When and How to Pair:

Have students read “First Pet” after completing Chapter 25 to focus students on the emotions of losing a pet. Ask students how Karana’s emotions at losing Rontu compare to the speaker of the poem’s feelings towards losing a first pet? Do you think both stories accurately portray the connections between people and their pets? Why might Karan’s connection to her pet be stronger? What particular characteristics in dogs foster strong bonds between them and humans?

5th Grade Memoir 560L

Funeral

Ralph Fletcher 2005
Passage Summary:

In Ralph Fletcher's "Funeral," a group of boys have a funeral for their friend who is moving away.

When and How to Pair:

Have students read “Funeral” after completing the novel as a connection to the theme of change and moving on. Ask students to discuss Karana’s willingness to leave the Island of the Blue Dolphins in the context of the story. How does Karana feel about the change in her life? How does Ralph feel? Is it easier for Karana to move on because she is leaving behind animals but not people, like Ralph?