Memorable Monday #1

Welcome to Memorable Monday! The purpose of Memorable Monday is to showcase an influential book read in the past that still sticks with you today. This fun Monday morning post is hosted by the lovely Becca at The Becca Files.

This week, I am featuring:

Island of the Blue Dolphins

by: Scott O’Dell

Amazon

Talk about a book making an impact! I had to read this book in the 3rd or 4th grade for school. I can’t remember exactly when I had to read it, but I do know I was at my grandparent’s house when I did. I actually was procrastinating, and left the book for the night to begin reading. Instead of reading when I should have been, I chose to play all day with my brothers. That was the wrong choice! I should have read this book in the clear bright light of day! LOL!

So, for anyone who has read this book you know that it is exceptionally fast-paced and highly engaging, but there are a couple really gruesome moments. I did not know any of this when I began reading this book. I actually don’t remember the story of Island of the Blue Dolphins, but I do have crystal clear memories of the room I was in at my grandparent’s house, and I remember in vivid detail one very gory moment in the book that deals with a wolf and a human throat. It was about 1:00 a.m. — I had started the book around 11 p.m. — when I got to this wolf/throat scene in the book and absolutely did not see it coming. I was terrified, and could not fall asleep. All I could see when I closed my eyes was the image of the wolf and the blood and the dead human.

Because of this one book, I NEVER begin a book at night. If I finish a book late in the night and want to start a new one, I wait until the next day. It’s my mental safety net. I guess I can handle things in the light of day, but in the middle of the night…not so much. LOL! Aren’t books wonderful?!

About the Book

In the Pacific there is an island that looks like a big fish sunning itself in the sea. Around it, blue dolphins swim, otters play, and sea elephants and sea birds abound. Once, Indians also lived on the island. And when they left and sailed to the east, one young girl was left behind. — This is the story of Karana, the Indian girl who lived alone for years on the Island of the Blue Dolphins. Year after year, she watched one season pass into another and waited for a ship to take her away. But while she waited, she kept herself alive by building shelter, making weapons, finding food, and fighting her enemies, the wild dogs. It is not only an unusual adventure of survival, but also a tale of natural beauty and personal discovery.

Now it’s your turn!

Share a book you’ve read in the past and explain briefly why it’s so memorable to you in the comments below.

If you would like to join Memorable Mondays, check out Becca’s post by clicking here. (Scroll to the bottom of her post for information.)