Island of the Blue Dolphins

Island of the Blue Dolphins

By: Scott O'Dell

Published by: Thorndike Press

223 Pages

Reading level: ages 9-12

Summary: Island of the Blue Dolphins is a story of a young Ghalas indian girl named Karana, who after a tragic ... with Russian otter hunters in which most of her tribe gets killed gets left behind on the island to fend for and live by herself. Karana soon makes friends with a wild dog, and along the way makes friends with lots of other animals. She learns to use the resources given her to make a hut and catch food needed for her and her animal friends but she also learns to love, and to be courageous. When the Russians come back and Karana befriends the woman with them you see how much she misses people and how she needs to get off the island. Island of the Blue Dolphins is based on a true story of an indian girl who lived for 18 years on an island off the coast of California.

Personal Review: I really enjoyed this book and the warm fuzzy feeling you get while reading it. It is a pretty easy read but is full of life and very entertaining. I would recommend it to anyone.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

By: Jeff Kinney

Published by: Amulet Books 2007

217 pages

Summary: Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a graphic novel about Gregg Heffley and his struggles in middle school. It is written in journal format, but he makes sure to point out it is a journal not a diary. Greg is just starting middle school with his best friend Rowley Jefferson. Rowley is a kind kid, but a little socially awkward. Greg also has a trickster of a older brother named Rodrick, a spoiled rotten little brother named manny, and two loving parents who try and support him in all that he does. This story takes you on Greg's adventure's from running from high school kids, playing video games with Rowley, to avoiding the "wierd" kids, joining the safety patrol and getting himself into a little trouble. You realize very quickly in the book, that he gets himself into a lot of trouble.

Personal Review: Jeff Kinney keeps you laughing throughout the whole book. He brings you back to middle school drama, and the things you thought, were going to ruin your life at that time.

Even though the reading level is ages 9-12 i believe all ages would enjoy it. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good, funny, light read.

Below is a link to a video of Jeff Kinney who explains about writing "Diary of a Wimpy Kid".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxpdnjsyI4Q&feature=channel