(Juvenile Literature, Young Adult Literature)

The novel Hatchet is a book commonly read among middle-schoolers, often for school assignments. I was also told to read Hatchet for school, and I’m gonna be honest when I say this…I hated it. Now, I know, I know! Hatchet is a classic, everybody loves it! (Except for me…) Hatchet was published 1986 and has been a crowd pleaser ever since. It was written by Gary Paulsen.

So, before I get into why I don’t like Hatchet, I’ll briefly explain the story-line. Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is on his way to fly from New York to Canada to visit his father. His parents are divorced, and that is a big part of the story. While flying in the small bush plane, the pilot suddenly has a very serious heart attack, causing him to lose control of the plane, which crashes into some woods.

Trying to survive, Brian eats rabbits, birds, eggs, fish, berries, and anything else that he can find that might be edible. He encounters a skunk, bears, moose, and even a tornado. Using his mother’s gift, which was given to him before the flight, a hatchet, he manages to survive by building campfires, shelter, weapons, and more.

After the tornado Brian realizes that the tail of the plane has drifted towards the shore of the lake where it had crashed. When Brian makes his way to the debris, he finds a survival pack with food, a transmitter, and a rifle. Using the transmitter to make a distress call, a nearby plane hears it, rescues him and takes Brian safely to his father’s house.

Okay, so for my opinion about this book, I think that the plot was a fantastic idea! But, Gary Paulsen’s writing style is probably one of my least favorite writing styles. In the book, there is very little dialog, due to the fact that Brian is in the woods alone for 90% of the novel (obviously). However, he does go through intense situations and encounters which, I personally enjoy reading because it brings more interest to the otherwise dull and uninteresting book.

However! If you do (or did) enjoy reading Hatchet, it is a series. You don’t need to read the next books, there’s not a cliffhanger or anything suspenseful at the end of book one. But, for those of you who were absolutely hooked to Hatchet, there is a series. ;)

The other books in the series (in order) are The River, Brian’s Winter, Brian’s Return, and Brian’s Hunt. I’ve read The River and Brian’s Winter and actually found those a lot more interesting…but still didn’t love them. (Honestly it’s just Gary Paulsen’s writing style, the plot is pretty good though.)

Anyway, I hope that (even after hearing my negative opinion on Hatchet) you enjoy or have enjoyed this book review and maybe even like Hatchet!

(Odd afterthought I had: So, my opinion is very very controversial, I’m sure. So if I hurt your feelings by saying I don’t like Gary Paulsen’s books, I’m sorry, but I won’t change my opinion or mind. :) )