Island of the Blue Dolphins vs The Coral Island: Which Should You Read?
Both live on shelves: Islands, Action & Adventure, Survival, Adventure, Children's fiction, Fiction
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Story of a young girl abandoned on a small island by her family and her village, and of her fight for survival. The incredible courage, determination and strength of this girl is showcased throughout as she learns to…
1 film adaptation
vs
The Coral Island
A nineteenth century adventure story of three teenaged boys shipwrecked on a Pacific island. At first they lead an idyllic life but this is soon interrupted by the arrival on the island of rival Polynesian war parties…
The verdict
- Ratings are close across the board — any is a safe pick by score.
- Island of the Blue Dolphins is the quickest read — about 3 hours vs 6 for The Coral Island.
- Island of the Blue Dolphins has the widest readership — 354775 ratings behind its score.
- The Coral Island reaches further in scholarship and criticism — cited 43 times.
- Island of the Blue Dolphins runs the darker storyline; The Coral Island stays the lighter read.
How to choose
Want a one-evening read?
Island of the Blue Dolphins
≈ 3h vs 6h for The Coral Island
Want the crowd-tested pick?
Island of the Blue Dolphins
354775 ratings vs 4926 for The Coral Island
In the mood for something dark?
Island of the Blue Dolphins
a darker storyline than The Coral Island
Want something lighter?
The Coral Island
an easier tone than Island of the Blue Dolphins
Want the literary heavyweight?
The Coral Island
cited 43 times vs 1 for Island of the Blue Dolphins
Scores by source
| Island of the Blue Dolphins | The Coral Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Goodreads | 3.9 (354775) | 3.7 (4926) |
| Hardcover | 3.6 (252) | 3.5 (11) |
| Google Books | 3.0 (2) | — |
| Apple Books | 4.5 (84) | 4.5 (30) |
Reception
| Island of the Blue Dolphins | The Coral Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Ratings | 354775 | 4926 |
| Editions | 89 | 473 |
| Citations | 1 | 43 |
| Film adaptations | 1 | 1 |
| Want to read | 102769 | 4917 |
| Reading it now | 6795 | — |
| Written reviews | 11262 | 446 |
| Wikipedia attention | 11682 | 4618 |
| Pages | 184 | 349 |