Chapter 1

Karana is wise beyond her years. In the first four chapters of Island of the Blue Dolphins, Scott O’Dell gives readers a great deal of information about the main character, Karana. Karana loves her brother and sister, Ramo and Ulape respectively, and she feels a strong sense of responsibility for their safety. This is especially true for Ramo, who is only six.

We also learn implicitly that Karana is a quiet, introspective girl. She is certainly more subdued than her siblings, but she also shows a penchant for thinking. Whereas the siblings enjoy watching the Aleuts, Karana remains wary of them. She has heard stories of trouble they caused last time they visited the island, and she is worried that they will do the same thing this time.

Please submit your questions one at a time. Thanks!