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Island of the Blue Dolphins
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Scott O’Dell | 1960 | Children, Young Adult (YA)
10
8.3 (18 Ratings)
Book Rating
Strong heroine (2 more)
Accurately conveys feelings of loneliness
Brings a little known piece of history to attention
Pretty depressing for a middle grade book (1 more)
Themes of loneliness will likely be missed by many given the age group
The story of the Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island
This was my absolute favorite book growing up and I still cherish it more than a decade later.

Island of the Blue Dolphins is based on The Lone Woman of San Nicolas Island: Juana Maria, a Nicoleño Native American left alone on San Nicolas Island for 18 years. She was the last surviving member of her tribe and died after she was rescued. This incredible story has largely been lost in the greater narrative of American history.

The story follows a young girl named Karana as she learns to survive on her own. Facing certain death, her tribe flees the island and Karana is left behind. The story has plenty of adventure as Karana fights to survive, learning how to be resourceful – hunting for food and materials for clothing, building shelters, and dealing with the local wild dogs and other dangerous creatures on the island. Where this book really shines is how the writing managed to portray Karana’s feelings of isolation and loneliness which really struck a chord with me.

The book is beautifully written and I’ve read it countless times since it was first gifted to me in elementary school. I look forward to when my own daughters grow older and I can share this story with them. This is a wonderful book for all ages that I absolutely adore. Fantastic for middle grade girls just getting into reading.
  
The Boys Volume 9: Big Ride
The Boys Volume 9: Big Ride
Garth Ennis | 2011 | Comics & Graphic Novels
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Exposition ahoy!
Hughie is back from his sabbatical and contemplating rejoining The Boys in their crusade against capes. He spends some time with Colonel Mallory, the man who set The Boys up in the first place, and learns more about the history of corrupt corporation Vought American, and their attempts to use superheroes in the military.
Meanwhile, one of the Seven, Jack from Jupiter, is being framed for the murder of a trans prostitute. This story was harder to read, because of the language used by Butcher in speaking to and about the trans people.
Things are starting to come to a head, and it feels like Ennis has his eyes on the finish line, and is now putting in all the back story and setting up the inevitable conflict.