Tales of Survival

I recently finished reading Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell from the local library just as I discovered I have a personal copy in a box of children's books in the basement. *Sigh* It will be nice to have all of my books shelved and ready for students to read as I begin my first official school year.

I loved this story. Island of the Blue Dolphins is about a Native American girl who suddenly finds herself living alone on an island off the coast of California after her people leave. She struggles as she tries to find a way to survive her new life alone. In her quest to survive, she faces certain challenges that she only remembers the men of her tribe being able to overcome.

Negative Elements for Discussion
It contains some politically correct stereotypes: the white man being evil and dishonest with the Native American people. Most youngsters won't pick up on this and will simply enjoy it for the adventure that it presents. Also there is a moment or two when she refers to multiple gods, but I think it is healthy for young Christian kids to read this and recognize that it is outside the truth of God's Word.

I think there is a secret part in each one of us that enjoys the hypothetical question of 

What Would I do to Survive Alone in the Wilderness?

In reading Island of the Blue Dolphins and placing myself in the various scenarios in the story, I found that I was reflecting back upon another wonderful tale of survival. I may have mentioned Hatchet by Gary Paulsen before, but I find it to be the perfect counterpart to Island of the Blue Dolphins being that it is better suited and more relateable for boy readers while Island of the Blue Dolphins is more relateable to girl readers.

Follow your reading of Hatchet up with a reading of Brian's Winter. It is a wonderful sequel!

Other books in this series by Gary Paulsen include: The River, Brian's Return & Brian's Hunt. I love that he wrote so many about this young Brian.