Zia

Zia is a 1976 children’s book by American author Scott O’Dell, the sequel to the 1960 historical fiction novel Island of the Blue Dolphins. The story follows 14-year-old Zia, an Indigenous girl, in her life at a California Mission, and her quest to reunite with her aunt Karana, the protagonist of the first novel. Incorporating historical elements, O’Dell explores the injustices faced by Indigenous people under Spanish colonial rule, the importance of family bonds, and the Indigenous struggle for cultural survival. 

Scott O’Dell was an author known for his works of historical fiction. He won the Newbery Medal in 1961, three Newbery Honor Medals, and the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1972 for his contribution to children’s literature. He also received the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion in 1976 and the Catholic Libraries Association Regina Medal in 1978. 

This study guide references the 2011 eBook edition by Clarion Books.

Content Warning: The source material and guide include discussion of racism, illness, child abuse, animal cruelty, and death. In particular, the text explores anti-Indigenous racism in 19th-century America. The book uses offensive terminology about Indigenous peoples, which the guide reproduces only in quotation to preserve the author’s terminology. 

Plot Summary

Zia, a 14-year-old Nicoleño girl, lives in the Santa Barbara Mission with her younger brother, Mando. Like many Indigenous people, they are forced into unpaid labor. The novel opens with Zia and Mando gathering clams on the beach, where they discover a stranded boat belonging to a whaler named the Boston Boy. They hide the boat in a cave and plan to sail it to the Island of the Blue Dolphins to find Karana, their aunt and last surviving relative. After Father Vicente, a kind young priest at the Mission, confirms that the boat belongs to the children, they repair it and rename it Island Girl.

Before moving to the Mission, Zia lived in Pala, a Cupeño village she considers home. Zia lost her mother to an illness brought to her village by white colonizers. She chose to come to the Mission to be closer to the Island of the Blue Dolphins and search for Karana. Zia consults Captain Nidever, a fish hunter and trader who has seen human footprints on the island. Although the captain advises against the journey, Zia and Mando leave anyway.

The voyage proves to be harder than the children expected. They struggle to navigate the turbulent sea and are ultimately abducted by white sailors from the Boston Boy, who force them into unpaid labor. Zia remains determined to escape, while Mando views his time on the ship as a chance to flee the Mission. Despite their disagreement, Zia and Mando escape and return to the Mission.

Zia realizes she cannot travel to the island alone and reaches out to Captain Nidever and Father Vicente for help. Father Vicente agrees to accompany Captain Nidever on his trip to locate Karana. Although excited, Zia worries Karana might not adapt well to Mission life. Meanwhile, a rebellion breaks out in the Mission. Stone Hands, an Indigenous man who serves as the tribe’s steward, rallies the people around the Mission to protest their exploitation. Zia is suspicious of him and wants to stay at the Mission for Karana. However, she agrees to help by hiding the key that unlocks the Mission’s doors. During the night, Zia helps the people escape.

The military investigates the situation. Captain Cordova, the head of the garrison, accuses Zia of being an accomplice and arrests her. Zia is imprisoned in a cold, dark cell. Captain Cordova interrogates her and threatens her with violence, wielding an iron glove as a torture tool. Despite her fear, Zia remains silent.

Father Vicente and Captain Nidever return with Karana. During their first meeting, Zia and Karana feel an immediate connection but struggle to communicate. Karana speaks a language unfamiliar to Zia, who has lost her native tongue. Nobody in the Mission understands Karana. She has difficulty sleeping in the dormitory and prefers staying in the courtyard with her dog, Rontu-Aru. Zia hopes to learn about the history of the island and Karana’s life there. She never gets the information she wants, but she remains devoted to Karana. Karana spends most of her time on the beach with her dog.

Father Vicente temporarily assumes leadership of the Mission, acting as Father Superior. He prevents Stone Hands from arresting anyone and negotiates with the people to persuade them to return. Father Vicente establishes new laws, granting working rights to Indigenous people and providing shelter for Karana and her dog. After Father Malatesta, the new priest, takes over and sends Father Vicente away, the Mission reverts to its more rigidly controlled and exploitative system. He abolishes Father Vicente’s laws and confines Karana to the dormitory. Karana soon leaves the Mission with her dog.

Zia finds Karana in a cave on the beach with her dog and rescued animals. Zia visits her daily, but eventually, Karana falls ill. Stone Hands organizes another rebellion at the Mission, prompting a group to leave. Mando joins them, parting ways with his sister. Karana refuses to return to the Mission, and despite Zia’s attempts to help her, she dies. Zia understands that Karana died because she longed for the Island of the Blue Dolphins.

Zia decides to leave the Mission. Father Malatesta questions her about her choice but does not stop her. Zia takes Karana’s dog with her and begins her long journey home to Pala village.