Read this with my daughter and we agreed it seemed more like a 'boy's book' than one for everyone. It was still interesting and we enjoyed the plot and the character. This isn't the kind of survival book we enjoy over all, though. Hatchet was a bit more stark than we liked, and the repetitive writing got on my nerves. It had its dramatic effect at times, but otherwise just made reading a bit of a chore.
For a boy who was used to lots of TV and grocery store food, he adapted mighty well to all the pain and suffering the author threw at him.
i love this book!! gary paulsen brings the story of brain alive!! its a great book!
First Line: Brian Robeson stared out the window of the small plane at the endless green northern wilderness below.
Thirteen-year-old Brian's parents have just gotten divorced. Brian lives with his mother in New York State, and is allowed to stay with his father, who works in the Canadian oil fields, during the summer. This will be his first summer with his father, and Brian's mother sees him off at the airport, giving him a gift that he feels is a bit silly: a hatchet.
Flying in the small plane takes some getting used to; it's very noisy, it's cramped, and at first the pilot doesn't talk very much. After a while, the pilot does begin to talk with Brian and even lets him take control of the plane for a bit. Then the absolute worst possible scenario occurs: the pilot has a massive heart attack and dies, leaving Brian at the controls of an aircraft that he really doesn't know how to fly.
Brian survives the crash, and then realizes that the plane has flown so far off course that he probably won't be found any time soon. He now has to survive the Canadian wilderness. He's a kid, and he does wallow in self-pity, but not for long. Brian isn't a typical soft city kid. Somehow he's able to put together bits and pieces of things he's learned in school, and he's able to carve out a place for himself on the shore of a remote lake. He takes pride in each accomplishment, as well he should. But the longer he lived in his lakeside home, the more nervous I got. Summers don't last all that long in Canada.
This was a captivating read, and I can understand why it was a Newbery Honor Book in 1988. Paulsen had me on the shore of that lake right at Brian's side. I was slapping mosquitoes and taking pride in Brian's level-headedness and ability to survive. If you're looking for a quick read that's well-written and puts you right in the middle of the action, Hatchet is an excellent choice.
Gary Paulsen's life is as interesting as the books he's written. In reading about the author, I learned that there are a whole series of books about Brian. I wouldn't be at all surprised if you see reviews for more of Paulsen's work here at Kittling: Books!
Plot Summary
Brian is a 13 year old boy, his parents are recently divorced, and he is suppose to spend the summer with his father who has taken a job working in Canada. The pilot of the small two person plane dies mid-flight and Brian must crash land the plane into a forest lake. With just his wits and the hatchet that his mother gave him as a present just for before take off, Brian must learn to survive in the wilderness.
Critical Analysis
Hatchet is a Newbery Honor book, and after reading this book, it is easy to tell why it was chosen as one of the best books of 1988. Paulsen expertly writes an action packed story of survival coupled with vivid descriptions that make it easy for the reader to imagine themselves right alongside Brian. The story had me turning the page to find out what new obstacle mother nature would throw at Brian and how he would adapt to the situation. He must find food, shelter, learn to deal with swarming insects and wild animals. In classic literary style, the many trials Brian faces transforms him from an unsure boy into a more confident, self-sufficient young man. The one weakness of the story line was the treatment of the secret. My feeling is that the secret was included in the story line to show Brians emotional growth throughout the story. However, Brians parents were already divorced and living in different countries so I felt the importance placed on this detail was unwarranted. Overall, I really enjoyed this story of adventure and self discovery.
This book was an enjoyable read. Wish I had read it at a younger age, say my grandson's age of 13. The ending surprised me a little too. I highly recommend it for mature readers; younger and older.
A great book for adults and older children (age 12 and up): if "Hatchet" grips your imagination, put Tom Brown's "Tracker" on your list for fascinating non-fiction reading.
a Newbery Honor book,this survival story is a spellbinding.
Good book and good way to pass time.
A story of young boy's determination and survival when facing the Canadian wilderness with only a hatchet and the clothes on his back.
