HISTORICAL NONFICTION FOR PRIMARY_AGE CHILDREN
Historical fiction tells a story set in the past. It offers some accurate information to ground the story in facts while allowing the author creative freedom to be imaginative and tell a fictional tale. Historical fiction will enable students to time travel to the past with interesting and exciting plots, characters, and settings. According to Literature and the Child (2017), "Outstanding authors weave historical facts into the fabric of a fictional story about people both real and imagined (Galda et al., 2017, p. 286)." An example of this is witnessed within Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell. This was my favorite book in fifth grade and ignited my love for reading, which is with me still today.
BOOK SUMMARY
Island of the Blue Dolphins is a story of a young Indigenous girl set in the 19th century. The girl, Karana, survives alone on an island after wild dogs kill her brother. The book uses symbolism and motifs throughout the story of dolphins to illustrate good fortune and safety.
BOOK EVALUATION
The setting is a main factor in the story and uses geographical evidence to prompt historical thought. The characters are the most impactful component of the text. Karana is relatable because she is a young child when she is abandoned on the island, which will help relate the primary-age children to the text. Literature and the Child (2017) explains, "characters in historical fiction should believe and behave in a manner that is keeping with the times in which they live (Galda et al., 2017, 288)." All of the characters throughout this chapter book do just this. Furthermore, the secondary characters like the hunters, sailors, and dogs help illustrate the historical setting because of their actions, speech, and overall purpose. The general theme reiterates other historical concerns like hunting for food and pelts to stay warm. It also discusses wooden ships, something we don't see in the modern day. This book does not offer illustrations; however, the reader can use their imagination while reading the descriptive text. These components create a quality historical fiction book for young children to explore.
MOTIVATIONAL ACTIVITIES
1. MAP IT OUT- Try this activity from teacherspayteachers. "Island of the Blue Dolphins contains real locations that students can use (with a little bit of outside geography research) to draw a map of where the story happens and mark where the characters travel, talk about traveling, and are going to travel (The island of the blue dolphins map it out activity, n.d.)."
2. CURIOSITY CUBE- Curiosity Cubes are an inquiry approach to language and literacy development. Teachers can fill the clear box with elements from the book like a dolphin figure, an arrowhead, and a stuffed dog. Next, the teacher will encourage the children to ask questions and make assumptions about the book. After The Island of the Blue Dolphins the chapter book, the teacher can open the floor and discuss if the children's predictions were correct and if they can answer their own questions.
READER RESPONSE QUESTIONS
1. Do you think Karana enjoyed living on the island? Why or why not?
2. What would you have done if you were Karana?
3. What conflicts did Karana face throughout the story?
4. What symbols did you identify throughout the book?
OTHER BOOKS BY SCOTT O'DELL
1. Sing Down the Moon by Scott O'Dell
2. The Black Pearl by Scott O'Dell
3. Streams to the River, River to the Sea by Scott O'Dell
4. Black Star, Bright Dawn by Scott O'Dell
References
Galda, L., Liang, L. A., & Cullinan, B. E. (2017). Literature and the child. Cengage Learning.
O'Dell, S. (2009). Black Star, bright dawn. Scholastic Inc.
O'Dell, S. (1992). Island of the Blue Dolphin. Recorded Books.
O'Dell, S. (2011). Sing Down the Moon. Scholastic.
O'Dell, S. (1986). Streams to the river. Clarion Books.
O'Dell, S. (2010). The black pearl. Sandpiper.
The island of the blue dolphins map it out activity. Teachers Pay Teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved December 12, 2021, from https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/THE-ISLAND-OF-THE-BLUE-DOLPHINS-Map-It-Out-Activity-2363436?epik=dj0yJnU9c0hGNnRlVDZyRE9EWGhXWll3SEhQcUhLRUZJZmt4NjAmcD0wJm49M0NvRzJrZHN4QXdScDR5RnVWMzh3dyZ0PUFBQUFBR0cxU1dF.
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