Hatchet

About

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is a gripping young-adult novel that follows the journey of 13-year-old Brian Robeson as he navigates the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. The story begins with Brian's parents' recent divorce, a painful event for him. He boards a small plane to visit his father in Canada, but the pilot suffers a heart attack, leaving Brian to crash-land into a remote lake. Armed with only a hatchet his mother gave him, Brian must rely on his resourcefulness to survive. As Brian faces numerous challenges, including harsh weather and wildlife encounters, he learns valuable survival skills such as building shelter, making fire, and hunting. Through his experiences, Brian undergoes significant personal growth, discovering inner strength and resilience. The novel explores themes of survival, self-discovery, and isolation, culminating in a transformative journey that changes Brian forever. Ultimately, Brian's adventure teaches him the importance of perseverance and inner harmony, leading to his eventual rescue after 54 days in the wilderness.