Vocabulary in Island of the Blue Dolphins

A unit of distance, roughly three miles, used here to measure how far things are from the island or from each other.

Large brown seaweed that grows in dense underwater forests along the coast; here it marks the waters around the island.

A large black seabird that dives for fish; one of the many birds Karana observes and names on the island.

A member of the indigenous people of the Aleutian Islands; in this story, the Aleuts are hunters who come to the island to harvest sea otters.

A sleek, fur-covered sea mammal hunted for its pelt; the Aleuts' pursuit of otters sets the main conflict of the story in motion.

A tough cord of animal tendon used as thread or string; Karana uses it to bind and lash together her tools and weapons.

A large edible shellfish with a flat, ear-shaped shell lined with mother-of-pearl; Karana collects them for food and uses the shells for ornament.

A high point of land that juts out into the sea; Karana uses headlands as landmarks and lookout points around the island.

A flat-topped hill or elevated plateau with steep sides; the island's geography includes such raised flat areas where Karana builds shelter.

A narrow, lightweight boat paddled by hand; Karana attempts to paddle one to reach the ship that has left without her.

Melted down animal fat or blubber to produce oil or grease used for fuel or cooking.

A desert plant with stiff, pointed leaves and fibrous stalks; Karana uses its fibers and roots for making rope, baskets, and other necessities.

A bulrush or reed plant that grows in marshy areas; used by Karana as a building and weaving material.

A hard, black volcanic glass that can be chipped into sharp edges; Karana uses it to make arrowheads and cutting tools.

A specific large species of kelp with a long hollow stalk and a bulb float; it grows thickly in the waters around the island.

Waves that crash and break as they hit shallow water or the shore; they make landing or launching a canoe dangerous.

A hidden store of food or supplies set aside for later use; Karana hides caches of food around the island to survive.

An old name for a giant octopus or large ray; Karana encounters one in the tidal pools and must deal with it as a threat.

A garment made of feathers or fiber worn around the waist; Karana makes herself a skirt from cormorant feathers as clothing.

A deep, narrow valley or gorge cut into the land, usually by water; Karana uses ravines as sheltered pathways and hiding places.

The comfort and friendship of having another living being nearby; isolated on the island, Karana comes to value the company of animals deeply.

A long-shafted thrusting weapon with a pointed tip; Karana fashions one as part of her arsenal for hunting and self-defense.

A narrow strip of sand extending out from the shore into the water; used as a landmark or gathering point on the island's coast.

A dark, sticky resin from trees or seams in rock, used to waterproof and seal canoes or containers.

A ridge of rock or coral just at or below the water's surface; the reefs around the island are hunting and fishing grounds for Karana.