Hatchet

Title- Hatchet

Author- Gary Paulsen

ISBN -1416925082

Publication Information- Simon and Schuster, 2007 (20^th anniversary edition)

 

Plot Summary- Brian Robeson is on a small plane going to visit his father when the pilot has a heart attack and Brian must crash land the plane in a lake. He survives, but the plane sinks and all Brian is left with is a hatchet and his clothing. He is forced to use the hatchet to survive a grueling 54 days in Canadian wilderness with only his wits. He manages to create a fire and learns that he must eat whatever he can find and hope to stave off anything that thinks he might make a good meal. He eventually is able to create an arrow, and some traps and is able to catch and eat meat. However, nature is fickly and he is attacked by a moose and a freak tornado nearly back to back. He loses everything he had created but realizes that he can see a bit of the plane that the tornado somehow lifted out of the water. This is his chance for help before winter sets in.

Critical Evaluation- I've often wondered if all the survivor type reality shows are based on this novel. Sadly for television, the novel is far more entertaining and strangely informative then any of those shows. Brian has no skills, no knowledge, no experience and he manages to survive. Clearly the novel is unbelievable in many respects but is still an amazing and fun read. Brian grows physically, emotionally, and spiritually in his journey. It is the classic example of man versus nature. For boys this is often a big hit. There are no relationship issues except his own problems with his parents' divorce, no other characters to contend with; there is only Brian and his hatchet. Paulsen returns to this story with Brian's Return and Brian's Winter.

 

Reader's Annotation- Could you survive in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but your clothing, a windbreaker coat, and a hatchet? 13 year old Brian Robeson must, but how long can he hold out?

Author Information- Gary Paulsen is the author of more than 200 novels and 200 magazine articles. As a consummate outdoorsman himself, he tends to write coming of age novels that are set in extreme outdoor conditions. He is particularly knowledgeable about Canadian and Alaskan wilderness conditions having run the Iditarod four times and he still trains dogs for the race. His sense of adventure was sparked when he ran away at the age of 14 and joined a carnival (had to double check this to make sure it is real!!). His website is a cornucopia of interesting Boy Scout information.

Curricular Ties- physical education, boy scouting

Genre- Adventure, Outdoor

Book talking ideas- What, besides the hatchet, is Brian's key to survival? How much of his survival is his skill or luck?

Challenge issues- descriptions of violence and trauma

1. Re-read the text to familiarize myself with the story
   
2. Ask parents for their specific objections (they are required to file that with our school district)
   
3. Review approved books list from California Department of Education for similar materials
   
4. Review approaches from ALA
   

Interest Age- 13-18

Why I selected this piece-. I'm always on the lookout for books reluctant boys will read. While the reading level is lower than most of my students, it's still a safe bet for students who don't like to read.