On San Nicolas Island, dolphins flash in the surrounding blue waters, sea otter play in the vast kelp beds, and sea elephants loll on the stony beaches. Here, in the early 1800s, a girl named Karana spent eighteen years alone.

Karana had to contend with the ferocious pack of wild dogs that killed her younger brother, constantly guard against Aleutian sea otter hunters, and maintain a precarious food supply. Her courage, self-reliance, and grit has inspired millions of readers in this breathtaking adventure.

I've been on a nostalgic kick, re-reading all the books I read as a girl. As I woke up this morning in a pile of cats and dogs, in a house I rarely leave except to forage for food, I realize it is possible that this book has had the most significant long-term influence on my life. RONTU LIVES! *SOBS*

All that being said, I would like to read the new definitive version, which gives a more complete history of the real events and history of the indigenous people involved in the story. ( )

READING LEVEL: 5.4 AR POINTS: 6.0
(Ages 8-11, grades 3-7)
Winner of John Newberry Medal

A classic novel originally published in 1960 for young readers and inspired by the true story of Juana Maria, also known as the Lone Woman of San Nicolas. She was of the Nicoleno tribe, who lived for generations on the three-by-nine mile island of San Nicolas Island about sixty miles off the coast of Southern California, in the Channel Islands. So little is known about her, even her true name, because of the language barrier. She was the last of the Nicoleno tribe.

There are many speculations about Juana Maria’s life and why she jumped from the schooner that took away the Nicoleno tribe from the island. Some believe her little brother was left behind on the island, or some say she was left behind because of an approaching storm and the captain made the decision to leave quickly. It's not even confirmed why exactly the tribe was ordered to be removed from the island by the Spanish. Records must be scant. Occasionally, Aleut fir trappers, working for the Russian-American Company, from Alaska would land there to hunt sea otters for their pelt. They even massacred a majority of Nicoleno’s in 1814 after accusing them of killing one of the Alaskan hunters. And it appears that Captain Hubbard was given orders in 1835 to remove this tribe from the island. The ship carrying the tribe off the island may have sunk in the approaching storm.

The only true fact known about Juana Maria was she did live on the island alone for 18 years...from 1835 to October 19, 1853, when finally rescued by Captain George Nidever and removed to the Santa Barbara Mission, where she was cared for by George Nidever and his wife.

They believe Juana Maria to be about 50 years old when found. Unfortunately, she died on October 19, 1853 of dysentery in Garey, California, only 7 weeks after arriving on the mainland. The Spanish missionary, Father Sanchez, baptized and christened her with the name Juana Maria before she died. Today, there is a plaque commemorating her life at the Santa Barbara Mission cemetery, where she is buried on a hill in the Nidever family plot in an unmarked grave. There is also a statue of Juana Maria in Santa Barbara at the corner of State and Victoria Street. Unfortunately, many of her belongings, such as her basket, clothing and bone needles and other artifacts brought from the island were all destroyed in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Today, the San Nicolas Island serves as a U.S. Navy Base.

This novel was completely inspired by Juana Maria’s life on the island and may be the closest we’ll ever get to knowing how she was able to survive alone on this remote island for 18 years without her people. Here, she is named Karana. I love how the author draws in the wild animals as her companions, especially the wild dog, Rontu. This is a wonderful and well-written story for young readers! ( )

The fact that this book was based on a true story - this girl was real, she really did live alone for years on an island - makes my mind reel. Almost made me cry. Loved loved loved. ( )

I appreciated this reader's edition and learning "the rest of the story." I found the Introduction a little long and dry, though the information was valuable. After reading the two chapters excised from the original book, I am glad they were omitted from a book intended for young adult readers. The two essays at the conclusion of the book were enlightening ( )