Hatchet by Gary Paulsen Review
Miia Hunt | September 26, 2022
Embedded Files
Author: Gary Paulsen
Illustrator: Drew Willis
Published: November 1, 1986
Page Count: 195
Genres: Adventure, Realistic fiction, Classic, Coming-of-Age
Series: Brian's Saga
Followed by: The river
Summary
Brian is on his way to Canada to visit his estranged father when the pilot of his small prop plane suffers a heart attack. Brian is forced to crash-land the plane in a lake--and finds himself stranded in the remote Canadian wilderness with only his clothing and the hatchet his mother gave him as a present before his departure.
Brian had been distraught over his parents' impending divorce and the secret he carries about his mother, but now he is truly desolate and alone. Exhausted, terrified, and hungry, Brian struggles to find food and make a shelter for himself. He has no special knowledge of the woods, and he must find a new kind of awareness and patience as he meets each day's challenges. Is the water safe to drink? Are the berries he finds poisonous?
Slowly, Brian learns to turn adversity to his advantage--an invading porcupine unexpectedly shows him how to make fire, a devastating tornado shows him how to retrieve supplies from the submerged airplane. Most of all, Brian leaves behind the self-pity he has felt about his predicament as he summons the courage to stay alive.
A story of survival and of transformation, this riveting book has sparked many a reader's interest in venturing into the wild.
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Star Rating
I rate Hatchet by Gary Paulsen 4/5 stars. I believe that classics offer a unique writing style, especially it being 35 years since this book's publish date. The book started out relatable for many teens because he was focusing on a problem that seemed dire but is then faced with an event more pressing and even catastrophic to his very survival. It seems unimportant to highlight but most of the books I read have female leads so it's good to see a change. Hatchet is a captivating read when you see the edifying the main character goes through in the course of the novel.
Age Rating
After reading Hatchet by Gary Paulsen, I think it's a suitable read for children as young as 9 to teenagers as old as 16. I would classify this as a coming of age book because throughout, Brian goes through a transformation that changes his perspective, values and his version of "normal". This book covers topics about morals, determination and family which I think everyone should reflect on. Hatchet gives children a chance to look into these topics and to relate to Brian's journey to self discovery. Overall I would say the age rating is 9+. Other sources:
Common Sense Media reviews range from 8+ to 17+ due to personal opinions but overall, the age rating is 11+
Plugged In says the readability age range for Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is 12+
Scholastic states Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is for grades 5-8 or ages 11+
Awards
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen has won and been nominated for numerous awards, some being:
1989-1990 Virginia Readers' Choice Award - Middle School (Winner)
1997 Soaring Eagle Book Award - Grades 7-12 (Winner)
1989 Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (Winner)
1988 Minnesota Book Awards (Winner)
1988 John Newbery Award (Winner)
About the Author
Gary Paulsen is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor books: The Winter Room, Hatchet, and Dogsong. He won the Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the American Library Association for his lifetime achievement in young adult literature. Among his Random House books are Road Trip (written with his son, Jim Paulsen); Family Ties; Vote; Crush; Flat Broke; Liar, Liar; Paintings from the Cave; Woods Runner, etc. Gary Paulsen has also published fiction and nonfiction for adults. penguinrandomhouse.com
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