Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780783211916
Format: Color
ISBN: 0783211910
Label: Universal Studios
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Universal Studios
Release Date: 1998-01-01
Running Time: 99
Studio: Universal Studios
Theatrical Release Date: 1964

Customer Rating:
Summary: Classic adventure
Comment: This is a story I have read many times since I was a child. I'm sure every little girl goes through that phase where she would like nothing more than to be a wild maiden living alone with the animals, and that is probably the basis of a lot of appeal. But that does destract from the fact that this is an incredibly written, incredibly moving story of survival and the overcoming of loneliness.

Based on an old story of a woman who survived for 18 years by herself, this tells the story of a young girl who is left on an island after her people build ships and leave their homeland. She jumps off the ship to rescue her brother, who subsequently dies. While waiting for ships to return for her, she dominates the island by herself with animals for company.

The description is real and powerful, and O'Dell provides a strong character. It's great adventure and touching drama.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Dolphin book for school
Comment: We received this book very quickly, in the described condition. It was an earlier print of the book with a smaller font, but overall it was a great
buying experience.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Just didn't excite me
Comment: My babysitter got this out for my 8 year old daughter who loves to read, and I started reading it first to see if she would like it. I remember reading it as a child but couldn't remember whether I liked it or not. As an adult I found it somewhat interesting but not captivating. Nothing much happens, and I didn't think it was written in a way which would excite my daughter. I found myself wishing Scott ODell were a better writer--the descriptions of how food or clothing is made from natural products are so thin, compared to the Little House books (which are masterpieces). Since so many people seem to love it, I guess you just have to check it out of the library and see.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: An empowering adventure story
Comment: What a great book! Virtually every part of this book is writing at it's very best.

The setting is magical. Odell seems to tell us about another part of the island and the water with each chapter. I wish he had made a companion book to just explore the island.

The young girl is amazing. She's making spears, building huts, killing devil fish, dogs, and the like, she's exploring nearby islands, trying to escape. There's so many ways to describe her, but the simplest and the best has to be: COURAGOUS.

What I like about this book, is that Odell helps the young reader talk about some issues of life that for many young people is not talked about, subjects like loneliness, independence, loyalty, and death. This is a book that can start a great many discussions between teacher and student, and parent and student.

What makes this book even cooler for me is that it is based in large part on a true story!

I have to say that this book is truly one of, if not the greatest newbery books ever written.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Classic
Comment: This book touched me as a young girl. I think I read it about ten times growing up. It is a wonderful story about courage, survival, isolation, and trust. It is an amazing adventure and I recommend it for all children. The book is deserving of awards but I would have loved it even if it had been an obscure story that never won awards - there are a lot of good stories out there that are like that. I am going to buy an extra copy of this for a little niece, so she will have it to read in a few years. I think this type of book has the power to mold and shape lives, who we are and who we will become.

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