Hatchet (novel) facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Gary Paulsen |
|---|---|
| Original title | Hatchet |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Brian's Saga |
| Genre | Young adult novel |
| Publisher | Bradbury Press |
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Publication date
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September 1987 |
| Media type | Hardcover and Paperback and Ebook |
| Pages | 195 p. (first edition, hardback) 186 p. (second edition, paperback) |
| ISBN | 0-02-770130-1 (first edition, hardback) |
| OCLC | 15366056 |
| [Fic] 19 | |
| LC Class | PZ7.P2843 June 1987 |
| Followed by | The River |
Hatchet is a famous young-adult wilderness survival novel. It was written by American author Gary Paulsen and first published in September 1987. This book is the first of five novels in the popular Hatchet series. It won the Newbery Medal in 1998, which is a special award for children's books.
Contents
The Story of Hatchet
Brian's Journey Begins
The main character is Brian Robeson, a 13-year-old boy. His parents are divorced. Brian is flying in a small Cessna plane to visit his father. His dad works in the oil fields of Northern Canada. Suddenly, the pilot has a serious heart attack and dies. Brian tries to fly the plane, but it runs out of fuel. He crash-lands into an L-shaped lake in a huge forest. Luckily, Brian survives the crash with only minor injuries.
Learning to Survive
Brian is now all alone in the vast wilderness. He has only his windbreaker and a hatchet. His mother gave him the hatchet just before his flight. He learns many new skills to stay alive. He figures out how to make fire using his hatchet. He finds food like rabbits, "fool-birds" (which are ruffed grouse), turtle eggs, fish, and berries.
Facing Nature's Challenges
Brian also faces many dangers from nature. He deals with annoying mosquitoes and a spiky porcupine. He encounters two large bears, one with cubs. He also sees a pack of three wolves, a skunk, and a grumpy female moose. A powerful tornado even hits his area. Through all these challenges, Brian becomes a skilled woodsman. He makes a bow, arrows, and a fishing spear for hunting. He also builds a shelter under a rock.
Finding Hope and Rescue
One day, a sudden tornado pulls the plane's tail closer to the lake shore. Brian remembers there might be a survival pack inside the plane. He builds a raft from broken treetops to reach the plane. He cuts his way into the tail, but drops his hatchet in the lake. He dives in to get it back. Inside the plane, Brian finds a survival pack. It has tools, extra food, an emergency transmitter, and a .22 AR-7 rifle.
Brian tries to use the transmitter, but he thinks it's broken and throws it aside. However, the distress signal is picked up by a passing airplane. A pilot rescues him! The story ends with Brian spending the rest of the summer with his father. Surviving alone for 54 days changed him forever, making him stronger and more aware of nature.
More Adventures of Brian
Gary Paulsen wrote four more books about Brian Robeson's adventures:
- The River (1991): Brian goes back to the wilderness. He helps the military learn survival skills.
- Brian's Winter (1996): This book tells what would have happened if Brian wasn't rescued. It shows how he would have survived the harsh winter.
- Brian's Return (1999): Brian struggles to adjust to life back home after his time in the wild.
- Brian's Hunt (2003): Brian is canoeing when he senses danger. He finds a wounded dog and faces new challenges.
- Guts: The True Stories behind Hatchet and the Brian Books (2001): This book shares real-life stories and experiences that inspired the Hatchet series.
Hatchet on Screen
A movie based on Hatchet was made in 1990. It was called A Cry in the Wild.
