The book Mr. Corman's students are reading is Island of the Blue Dolphins, a 1960 children's novel by American writer Scott O'Dell, which tells the story of a 12-year-old girl named Karana, who is stranded alone for years on an island off the California coast. It is based on the true story of Juana Maria, a Nicoleño Native American left alone for 18 years on San Nicolas Island during the 19th century. It was undoubtedly required reading for both the actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt (given his age) and his character.