Island of the Blue Dolphins 1964

In 1835, a ship crewed by Russian fur hunters and Aleut Captain sails to an island off the southern California coast to hunt sea otters. The crew makes a deal with the Nicoleño people living in the village of Ghalas-at for permission to hunt on their lands, but they later try to depart without paying. The hunters are confronted by the village chief and respond with violence. In the ensuing skirmish, most of the Nicoleños are slain, forcing the survivors to flee the island.

Karana realizes that her 6-year-old brother, Ramo, has been left behind and returns to the island. Left alone together, Karana and Ramo are menaced by a pack of wild dogs. The most ferocious of the dogs kills Ramo, and Karana teaches herself archery to hunt the dog. She fires an arrow at the creature, but after the kill she takes pity on it and nurses it back to health. The dog becomes her companion, and he is soon named Rontu, marking a deep bond between them.

When another group of hunters arrives on the island, Karana hides. Tutok, a girl from that group, finds her and tries to befriend her, but Karana remains wary and chooses not to trust anyone easily. Years pass, and [Rontu] dies of old age, leaving Karana bereft. She discovers a wild dog that resembles Rontu and names him Rontu-Aru, meaning “son of Rontu.”

A boat carrying a missionary arrives, and this time Karana decides to open herself to strangers. She gathers her animals—Rontu-Aru and several wild birds she has trained to stay with her—and, with a mix of hope and resolve, prepares to leave the island behind.