Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is a young adult novel of adventure and survival. Published in 1986 to critical acclaim, it was named a Newbery Honor Book in 1988.
Hatchet tells the harrowing story of 13-year-old Brian Robeson, who finds himself stranded in the Canadian wilderness after a plane crash. Brian's ordeal begins during a flight to visit his father in the Canadian oil fields, following his parents' divorce. Tragedy strikes when the pilot suffers a fatal heart attack, leaving Brian to crash-land the plane in a remote lake. With nothing but his clothing and a hatchet— a parting gift from his mother—Brian faces the daunting task of survival. Alone and equipped with minimal resources, he has no choice but to gather his resolve and survive. To make it through, Brian must confront not only the physical challenges of the wilderness but also his internal struggles stemming from his family's breakdown and a burdensome secret about his mother.
As the days pass, Brian learns to adapt to his surroundings. He masters the art of fire-making with his hatchet, forages for food, and constructs a makeshift shelter. His encounters with wildlife, ranging from a curious porcupine to menacing bears and wolves, test his resilience and ingenuity. A chance discovery of a survival pack in the submerged airplane shifts his fortunes, providing him with additional resources. However, it is his sheer willpower and newfound courage that enable him to persevere. Hatchet culminates with Brian's rescue, facilitated by an emergency transmitter found in the survival pack. Despite the extraordinary challenges, he emerges from the experience with a profound transformation.
Brian's story does not end with his rescue. Paulsen expands the tale through four sequels—The River, Brian's Winter, Brian's Return, and Brian's Hunt. Making up the Brian Saga series, these books explore Brians' further adventures in the wilderness and his life thereafter. Hatchet remains a popular work among young readers, celebrated for its gripping depiction of survival and self-discovery.
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About the author
Gary Paulsen
Gary Paulsen was an American author, acclaimed for his work in children's and young adult fiction, especially novels set against the backdrop of wilderness and coming-of-age stories. He has written more than 200 books, over 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays, aimed primarily at a teenage audience. His most notable works include Hatchet and its four sequels (The River, Brian's Winter, Brian's Return, and Brian's Hunt), Dogsong, and The Winter Room. Three of his novels—Hatchet, Dogsong, and The Winter Room—were recognized as Newbery Honor books. In 1997, he received the prestigious Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association for his significant lifetime contribution to young adult literature.
Paulsen was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1939. His early life was marked by adversity and adventure, which greatly influenced his writing. His parents struggled with alcoholism. When his father was deployed during World War II, he moved to Chicago with his mother. Later, he lived with relatives on a farm, experiencing both hardship and neglect. Despite these challenges, he developed a profound connection with nature and the ability to adapt, themes prevalent throughout his works. His adolescence was largely self-sufficient; he supported himself through various jobs and honed his survival skills. He briefly attended Bemidji State University and served in the US Army, experiences that eventually led him to New Mexico, a place he often called home.
Over his career, Paulsen's narratives often focused on the natural world, reflecting his critical views on technology and modern conveniences. His literature emphasized survival, not only in the physical sense but also through overcoming emotional and psychological adversities, drawing heavily from his own life experiences. Despite his success as an author, Paulsen lived modestly, spending his later years between Alaska, New Mexico, Minnesota, and the Pacific. An avid outdoorsman, he participated in the 1,150-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, which inspired several of his books. He died at his home in Tularosa, New Mexico, on October 13, 2021.
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