Zia (novel) facts for kids
Cover of first edition
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| Author | Scott O'Dell |
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| Illustrator | Ted Lewin |
| Genre | Realistic Fiction |
| Published | 1976 (Houghton Mifflin) |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover and Paperback) |
| Pages | 192pp (hardcover & paperback edition) |
| ISBN | 978-0-395-24393-0 (hardcover edition) |
| OCLC | 1976107 |
| LC Class | PZ7.O237 Zi |
| Preceded by | Island of the Blue Dolphins |
Zia is an exciting book by Scott O'Dell. It's the sequel, or next part, to his famous book Island of the Blue Dolphins. Zia came out in 1976, which was 16 years after the first book.
Contents
Story of Zia
Zia is a 14-year-old girl. She is the niece of Karana. Karana is the Native American woman who was left alone on the Island of the Blue Dolphins. Zia strongly believes her aunt Karana is still alive.
Zia and her younger brother, Mando, try to find Karana. They use an 18-foot boat. They try twice to rescue Karana, but they don't succeed. Still, there are clues on the island that Karana is there. These clues include small footprints, old cooking fires, and parts of old huts. Because of these signs, Zia travels to Santa Barbara. She hopes to have a better chance of finding her aunt from there.
The Search for Karana
Captain Nidever sails to the Island of the Blue Dolphins. He goes there to hunt otters. Father Vicente joins him, hoping to find Karana. Meanwhile, Stone Hands, another Native American at the mission, plans an escape. He gives Zia a key to the girls' dormitory. Zia unlocks the door, but Captain Cordova thinks she caused the escape. He puts Zia in prison.
Captain Nidever soon returns. He brings Karana and her second dog, Rontu-Aru, with him. Captain Cordova and Father Vicente argue about Zia. Finally, they let Zia out of prison.
Life at the Mission
Zia and Karana cannot talk to each other. Karana speaks a different language. Even so, Karana seems to get used to life at the mission. She learns to weave baskets, just like the other Mission Indians. She loves eating melons. Karana is also very interested in horses. There were no horses on her island.
At first, Karana is supposed to sleep in the women's dormitory. But Rontu-Aru, her dog, is separated from her. The priests believe the dog might bring fleas into the dormitory. So, Rontu-Aru is chained up in the courtyard. Karana is not used to being around so many people. She also misses her dog very much. Because of this, she moves out to sleep in the courtyard with Rontu-Aru.
Changes and Challenges
Father Merced becomes very sick and passes away. Father Vicente then takes charge of the mission. He allows the Native people to sell the things they make. They can keep the money they earn. While Father Vicente is in charge, he goes with Karana and Zia. They go to bring Stone Hands back. Stone Hands and other Native people had tried to make a new home. They left the mission to do this.
Later, the church sends a new leader, Father Malatesta. Father Vicente leaves and goes to Monterey Bay. Stone Hands, Karana, and the others do not like Father Malatesta. Karana leaves the mission soon after. Father Malatesta does not let her sleep on the floor with Rontu-Aru. In the spring, Stone Hands and many Native people run away again. This is because of the harsh treatment they receive. This time, Mando leaves with them.
Karana's Final Days
Karana had been living in a cave. This was the same cave where she and Mando had hidden the boat earlier. On the day Stone Hands and Mando leave, Zia visits Karana again. She finds Karana very sick. However, the priests at the mission will not help. They say Karana must live and work at the mission to get help. The next morning, Karana dies.
After Karana's death, Zia leaves the Mission. She returns to her old home in the mountains. Rontu-Aru, Karana's dog, stays by her side.
Real-Life Connections
Zia's aunt Karana was the main character in Island of the Blue Dolphins. Her story is based on a real person. This person was Juana Maria, a Nicoleño woman. She lived alone on an island for 18 years.
Captain George Nidever was also a real person. He was the one who brought Juana Maria from her island to a mission.
Images for kids
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Cover of first edition
