Island of the Blue Dolphins

By: Scott O'Dell

Narrated by: Tantoo Cardinal

Length: 3 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

In the Pacific, there is an island that looks like a big fish sunning itself in the sea. Around it blue dolphins swim, otters play, and sea birds abound. Karana is the Indian girl who lived alone for years on the Island of the Blue Dolphins. Hers is not only an unusual adventure of survival, but also a tale of natural beauty and personal discovery.

©1960 Scott O'Dell (P)1995 Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, a Division of Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing Group, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Newbery Medal Winner, 1961

"Narrator Tantoo Cardinal more than succeeds in delivering a lovely listening experience. Her accent and pronunciation are first rate. The music adds to the story with an ethnic sound. When the Russians invaded the island, many islanders were killed or fled. Some, like the young girl, Karana, were accidentally left behind. Karana's survival in remote isolation is moving and unforgettable. Both the text and Cardinal's style make the listener feel...part of Karana's isolation and maturation." (AudioFile magazine)

Great book for children very poor reader.

The reader is very dry and reads in a very monotone voice. It should be like a story being told rather than a book being read.

Is. of the Blue Dolphins

it was perfect for my 6 year old. We loved it very much. We really like rantoo.

Childhood Favorite

I have read the book many times over the years. It has always been a favorite. The audible version was good. It was a very quick listen. I sped the narration to 1.2x. Otherwise it was too slow.

wonderful story

It is such a great book and it is so greatly told. I love this book.

One of my favorites

Tantoo Cardinal brings Scott O'Dell's story to life. She is Karana in my head 💙

ABSOLUTELY CHARMING!

Tantoo Cardinal does a beautiful job narrating this book, which reads like a diary. Even though there is, for the most part, only one person speaking—Karana, the young girl who is the main character—she makes use of every element of a good story: happiness, sadness, tranquility, tension, imagery and symbolism—and Cardinal does it all with her soft, soothing voice. The descriptions of the island, its resources, its legends, its culture, and Karana’s courage are all so perfectly executed, I could see and hear and smell and feel everything as if I was right there. BRAVO, Scott O'Dell and Tantoo Cardinal for a story that is VERY well done!

The language and wording are perfect

I really liked everything about the book and I title is really cute and the story is amazing

her getting ronto and ronto araw

the sunami but I really don't know what I don't like about it but that is my least favorite thing

lovingly written yet sad.

I love this book but it was so sad! I hated the part when ran to died.

One of the classics

Fantastic book. I remember reading it as a child and loving it. I liked the narrator, but at times some of the music and sound effects got distracting, hence 4 stars instead of 5.