Hatchet (1987)

This was redundant, slow, and sorely lacking in action despite its being a survival story. I give it two stars instead of one because of the seeming symbolism of the titular hatchet, and the amusing (to me) one-liner at the end (which I won't share; you have to read it yourself to enjoy it!). I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that a children's book failed to entertain me as an adult reader, but C.S. Lewis put it best when he quipped, “A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest.” ( )

This is a really good read as a young boy struggles to survive the Canadian wilds on his own after the plane he is traveling in veers off course and crashes killng the pilot and leaving young Brian, a city boay, on his own. I enjoy the way Paoulsen writes and the story (based on his past experiences as a rescue volunteer) is well thought out and believable. There are a few plot twiests, but the book is not really about the plot but about adapting, learning, and growing in whatever situation you find yourself. ( )

This is a breathless, heart-gripping drama about a boy pitted aginst the wilderness with only a hatchet and a will to live. On his way to visit his recently divorced father in the Canadian mountains, thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is the only survivor when the single-engind plane crashes. His body batterned, his cloths in shreds, Brian must now stay alive in the boundless Canadian wilderness. More than a survival story, Hatchet is a tale of tough decisions.

I read this book so many times in middle school I nearly memorized the whole book. ( )

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, is a realistic fiction book centered around a story of a young boy's survival after a plane crash. The book's realistic portrayals of survival strategies and a sense of adventure is sure to grab the attention of outdoorsy students. There’s also a bit of grim and edge (underwater pilot iykyk) that will make this book seem more mature/adultish to young students. I would most definitely have a project assigned to this book due to the extensive use of this book in other classes and the resources available ( )