The Spanish Smile

The Spanish Smile #1

by Scott O'Dell

Lucinda lived like a princess on her father's private island off the coast of California, Isla del Oro. But she was really a prisoner, shut off from the world, never allowed off the island. Then Christopher Dawson, a young archeologist, came to the island and into her life. And Lucinda began to realize the horrifying truth about the island . . . and about her father.

Genres: Fiction, Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Mystery

160 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 1982

About the author

Scott O'Dell was an American author celebrated for his historical fiction, especially novels for young readers. He is best known for Island of the Blue Dolphins, a classic that earned the Newbery Medal and has been translated into many languages and adapted for film. Over his career he wrote more than two dozen novels for young people, as well as works of nonfiction and adult fiction, often drawing on the history and landscapes of California and Mexico. His books, including The King’s Fifth, The Black Pearl, and Sing Down the Moon, earned him multiple Newbery Honors and a wide readership. O'Dell received numerous awards for his contribution to children’s literature, among them the Hans Christian Andersen Award and the Regina Medal. In 1984, he established the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction to encourage outstanding works in the genre.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really is one of the weirder books I've ever read. I would have been completely thrown by the plot, except that I accidentally read the sequel first, not knowing it was a sequel. I had to track this down through inter-library loan.

Some of the characters in this book (and its sequel) are BARKING MAD. It's really just nuts. The atmosphere is pretty creepy, but the entire setup makes it hard to pin it down to a time period. At first I would have said it was Victorian, then they would mention cars... then planes... and record players... and finally I realized it was set in the '80s. Very, very odd.

[Ellen Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Idk where I got this book, but it’s such a quick thrilling read. I’ve reread a couple of times and will again in the future.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book as a kid, and was creeped out by it. I'm not sure that it would hold up to rereading now––I may have to . In the perspective from which it's seen and the atmosphere of the self-isolated kingdom, I think it's a bit similar to Nancy Farmer's House of the Scorpion––although the plots aren't connected.

[Starry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved this author's book Island of the Blue Dolphins as a kid -- a memorable read with a strong heroine.

This book, which I only just read, also had a strong heroine, but the story is creepy and strange. Can't say much more without giving away the end. Let's just say it's really, really strange.

[colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

read 04.21.84

[Maysa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twisted ending

[Mera Abuzant]

good

[Spenser White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh!!!! This book is written so well. The mystery is slowly unraveled in such a creepy way! Scott O'Dell doesn't disappoint.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not letting me read this book

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok, not one of O'Dell's best, but the first of his books I ever read.