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Island of the Blue Dolphins is a children's novel by Scott O’Dell, published in 1960
. It tells the story of Karana, a young Native American girl who is left alone on an island for eighteen years and must learn to survive. The novel is based on the true story of Juana Maria, a Nicoleño woman who lived alone on San Nicolas Island for eighteen years in the 19th century. Island of the Blue Dolphins won the Newbery Medal in 1961.Explore a plot summary, an in-depth analysis of Karana, and important quotes.