Alone on the Island
of the Blue Dolphins
A documentary by Paul Goldsmith
Every November, nearly half a million 4th graders read Island of the Blue Dolphins. For many, this
is their first real reading experience, their first 'chapter book.' Educators selected Scott O'Dell's novel because it's a very exciting story of survival and empowerment, sort of a female Robinson Crusoe. Overall, almost 10 million copies have been sold.
The book tells the story of a 12 year-old Native American girl who was left alone for 18 years on San Nicolas Island, the most remote of California's Channel Islands, during the 19th century. The 'Lone Woman' survived with her dog for 18 years before being 'rescued' and brought to Santa Barbara. She died there and is buried in the Santa Barbara Mission.
The true story that inspired the book is even more extraordinary than the fictionalized retelling. There has never been a documentary that goes out to the island, visits the Lone Woman's campsite and cave, and visually captures the adventure that she experienced all those years ago. Alone on the Island of the Blue Dolphins does this.
"A beautiful film that captures the essence of the tale dramatized by Scott O'Dell
in his Newbery Award winning novel. A perfect complement for classroom reading,
the film explores the story from an anthropological point of view, combining science,
history and photographic recreation. This is an amazing educational tool and a
thought-provoking visual addition for teachers and libraries
to share with students."
-Holly Goldberg Sloan, author of Counting By 7s
Bonus short films included on the DVD:
1) Lone Woman Artifacts
Found in Santa Barbara
2) Nicolenos before the Island of the Blue Dolphins
3) Ernestine De Soto on Religion
4) More about Scott O’Dell and his novel
5) The Cache – The Archeology Story
On DVD August 21
****
DVD MSRP – $19.95
Catalog # – FRF 917643D
UPC – 7-20229-91764-3
Run Time – 58 minutes
Language – English
Year – 2018
Genre – Documentary
