While reading Island of the Blue Dolphins in school and learning about the real woman stranded on San Nicolás Island, ten-year-old Tishmal begins writing emails to “Miss Karana” in hopes of talking to her spirit. When she finally arrived on the mainland, Karana spoke a language that no one could understand. But some of the words Tishmal hears in the one remaining recording of Karana’s voice sound very similar to Chamtéela (Luiseño), the language spoken by some of Tishmal’s own older relatives. As she writes to Miss Karana, Tishmal becomes more and more compelled to understand her.

About Roundtable Reading
Young readers are invited to read the beginning of a good book aloud in BAMPFA’s convivial Reading Room, and pick up a copy to continue reading at home. No advance sign-up needed; just drop in!