~Hatchet~

Author: Gary Paulsen
Genre: Young adult novel, Adventure story.
Book Report by: Krysta Purviance

I chose to read the book Hatchet because, some of my friends told me that it was a good book and that i might like to read it. I also think I chose to read Hatchet because it was a survival story and I like to read stories about people that have to rely on what they have on their backs.


Hatchet is a book about a thirteen-year-old boy who's name is Brian Robeson. He discovered his parents are getting a divorce and that his mom is having an affair with another man. Brian's mom sent him to Canada to be with his father for the summer. Before he leaves his mom gives Brian a hatchet to use in the Canadian forests. As Brian was on his way to Canada his pilot let him fly the plane. As Brian is flying the plane the pilot starts to have a heart attack and dies. Which Brian is then forced to land the plane. The plane crashes in to a lake. Brian survived the crash and was the only passenger of the plane. Brian is now stuck in the woods by himself. He uses the hatchet his mother gave him to make a fire, cut wood, and to build a shelter. He has several challenges and then remembers seeing a emergency kit on the plane and decides to attempt and get it. What he find inside leads him to his rescue.

The significance of the title Hatchet is that his mom gave him a hatchet to help him work in the Canadian wilderness with his father. Little did his mom know that the hatchet she gave to Brian would end up saving his life. Brian taught himself how to use the hatchet to start a fire from the sparks and also use it to build a shelter.


IF I could ask Gary Poulsen three questions I would ask him:

1) What was it that inspired you to wright this book?

2) If you were stuck in Brian's position would you chose the hatchet of the riffle?

3) Why have only one person get stranded and not numerous?