The challenge of loneliness and the value of family are two sides of the same coin in this novel. Like the protagonist in The Island of Blue Dolphins, Maddie encounters her greatest challenge not in trying to feed herself, find shelter, or defend against wild or formerly domesticated animals, but rather, as her younger brother Elliot intuited, in coping with loneliness and isolation. In his book report, Elliot writes,

She [the protagonist] can always fish and get food and it isn’t hard because it’s her island already. But she has to keep herself company and give herself pep talks and if she’s sick or scared she can’t just call out to her mom to come take care of her. So I think that’s what makes her the REAL Challenge Girl and not that other stuff (249).

During Maddie’s years-long period with no human contact, as time passes and Maddie’s loneliness grows, so does her attitude about the true value of family. By the time she is finally rescued, and for a long while before that, Maddie would have given “anything” to have her family back. For most of her story, the memories of her family and the hope that they will one day return sustain Maddie throughout her time alone.