1941 - Call it Courage

Dates read: September 2008
Read or listened to: Listened to
Pages: 128 pp.
●●●○○

So, it looks like I managed to read two young-people-alone-on-an-island Newberys back to back. I would have to say that hands down, I preferred Island of the Blue Dolphin. I came to know Karana's thought processes, her plans for her survival and I experienced her struggles with her. I had a difficult time connecting with Mafatu and seemed to hear his experiences as a laundry list of I did this, then this, then this, and now I am brave.

I do respect the theme of the book--that we all have fears, and for good reason. Mafatu feared the sea as a result of an accident that took his mother's life and nearly his when he was only 3-years-old. Facing our fears is the best way to overcome. It is amazing that he was able to overcome those fear on his own--without the support of those who supposedly cared for him. I certainly hope that this book is one that can give readers the courage to face their fears and come off conquerors.

This is a quick listen--only 2 hours.

1961 - Island of the Blue Dolphins

Dates read: August/September 2008
Read or listened to: Listened to
Pages: 223 pp.
Rating: ●●●●●

This is a very beautiful story. Karana is a young girl living on an island with members of her tribe. Her community is devastated by the arrival of and ultimate attack from the Aleuts who kill many members of the tribe. Soon thereafter, a white man's ship arrives and the tribe evacuates the island to prevent future disruption. In a completely selfless act to save her brother who has been left behind, Karana jumps off the ship and swims to shore so that the young boy is not left alone. It isn't long until her brother, Ramo, dies and she is left alone on the island. The bulk of the book is an account of the many years that Karana lives and survives on the Island of the Blue Dolphins. This book is based on a true story from the mid-1800s.

Typically, I would be skeptical of a book without dialogue. (She is alone.) But he had a way of combining Karana's thoughts, descriptions of the surroundings, and accounts of her daily life that I never felt that the book was moving too slowly. I agree with other reviewers that her ingenuity and resourcefulness were inspiring and that the many ups and downs of the story (relationships with her animals, arrival and departure of other boats, etc.) contributed to the story's appeal.

2008 - Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices from a Medieval Village

Dates read: August 2008
Read or listened to: Read
Pages: 96 pp.
Rating: ●●●●●

Unfortunately, I read this book a few weeks ago so I don't have lots of specifics to write. I really did love this book though. It is a book of monologues set in Medieval times. Characters range from the peasant to the nobility. I felt that several--the women, especially--were really brought to life. I found myself envisioning how it would be read and felt on the stage. If I taught 6th grade social studies, this book would be a must! It is quite informative and emotional. LOVED IT!