A story of survival, based upon the true story of a girl who was left upon an island near the coast of Southern California. She lived there for 18 years, alone. While she waited for rescue, she kept herself alive by building shelter, finding food, and fighting her enemies--the wild dogs.

Island of the Blue Dolphins was released as a major motion picture in 1964. The film starred Celia Kaye, Larry Domasin, Ann Daniel, and George Kennedy. A Universal Picture. A Robert D. Radnitz production, directed by James B. Clark. This filmed version is available on videotape. To buy this VHS tape now, click here.

From the reviews:

"Occasionally we rejoice to find a book not written to fulfill any need or with any audience in mind, but simply because the subject has seized the author's imagination and he had to write it. These are usually books that quietly take hold of us and make our lives richer for having read them. Such is Island of the Blue Dolphins."

New York Herald Tribune

"This extraordinary book ... has the timeless, enduring quality of a classic."

The Chicago Sunday Tribune

"... a haunting and unusual story."

Library Journal

"A novel of the highest excellence."

The Times (London)

Island of the Blue Dolphin's awards:

John Newbery Medal. 1961
Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. 1961
Southern California Council on Literature for Children and Young People Notable Book. 1961
Pomona Friends of the Library. 1961
International Board on Books for Young People Honor List. 1962
William Allen White Children's Book Award. 1963
Federal Republic of Germany Jugendbuchpreis. 1963
Rupert Hughes Award.
Nene Award. 1964
George C. Stone Center for Children's Books. 1971
Children's Literature Association: "10 Best American Children's Books of the Past 200 Years." 1976
Omar's Book Award. 1985
School Library Journal, Books That Shaped The Century. 2000