The “Scott” who wrote Island of the Blue Dolphins is Scott O’Dell , an American author best known for this 1960 children’s novel about a girl named Karana surviving alone on an island off the California coast.

Who Scott O’Dell Is

Scott O’Dell (1898–1989) was an American writer who became famous for his historical novels for young readers, especially Island of the Blue Dolphins. He originally wrote books for adults but later shifted to children’s literature, where his blend of history and adventure earned him major awards.

Island of the Blue Dolphins

Island of the Blue Dolphins was published in 1960 and tells the story of Karana, a Native American girl stranded alone on an island off California. The story is inspired by the real-life Juana Maria, a Nicoleño woman who survived alone on San Nicolas Island for about 18 years in the 1800s.

Awards and Recognition

The novel won the prestigious Newbery Medal for children’s literature in 1961, which helped establish O’Dell’s reputation. It has remained widely read for decades and is frequently assigned in schools for its themes of survival , resilience, and connection to nature.

Why Crosswords Say “Scott Who Wrote…”

When you see a clue like “Scott who wrote Island of the Blue Dolphins ,” the answer they’re looking for is the last name ODELL. Crossword clues often use this book because it’s famous and the name “O’Dell” fits nicely into many grids.

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