Island of the Blue Dolphins

Karana observes the Aleuts’ camp, which is in the same location they used the last time they came to the island. She worries that the Aleut girl might notice her tracks by the spring, but decides to stay in the ravine because the spot is close to fresh water and her hidden canoe. Karana and Rontu only leave the emergency shelter in the ravine to gather food and water. She is thankful that the Aleuts did not bring their dogs, which would likely find them, but the tension and tedium of hiding make the days long. To pass the time, Karana fashions cormorant skins into a skirt. When she examines her handiwork in the sun, she is “giddy with happiness” at the sight of the black, green, and gold feathers, which “shimmered as though they were on fire” (131).

As Karana admires the skirt, the Aleut girl sees her. Karana could easily kill the girl, but she stays her hand like she did Rontu. Rontu lets the Aleut girl pet him, and she uses gestures to communicate that Rontu was once hers but now belongs to Karana. She says that her name is