The remarkable story of a strange and beautiful Nicoleno girl who lives a serene and courageous life as the solitary survivor on a rocky island off the California coast. 

The island looks like a big fish sunning itself in the sea. Around it, blue dolphins swim, otters frolic in the surf, and sea elephants and birds abound. Once, many other Nicoleno lived on the island too. But when the Russians arrived to hunt the island's wildlife, a war broke out, and many perished. The few that were left fled the island to Santa Catalina in the east But Karana, the girl with the long black hair, and Ramo, her brother, were left behind. 

Year after year, Karana waited for a ship to come for her. But while she waited, she fought for her very survival by building a shelter, hunting for food, and making weapons to stave off her enemies, the wild dogs who took her brother.