A book-length study of Scott O'Dell's complete works. It begins with a biographical chapter, then goes on to consider his books for adults. An entire chapter is devoted to Island of the Blue Dolphins, with the other books for children grouped thematically into "Stories from the Old Southwest," "Experiments in Form and Substance," "The Seven Serpents Trilogy," "When the Past Meets the Present," and "A Return to Many Pasts."