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Book Reviews of Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1)

Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1)
Hatchet - Brian's Saga, Bk 1
Author: Gary Paulsen
ISBN-13: 9780590981828
ISBN-10: 059098182X
Publication Date: 1999
Pages: 195
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 123

4 stars, based on 123 ratings
Publisher: Scholastic
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

38 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Stacelito avatar reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 78 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
My daughter had to read this for school. She was frustrated and expected it to be a "boy" book. Well, it was BUT she LOVED it. It is very well written and has plenty of adventure!
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on
Helpful Score: 4
Though the book is a dramatic read, I would not recommend it for readers that are younger or less mature, or those experiencing family srife because of the ideological setting. As with anything I think you should read it yourself before you decide if it is good for your child or not.
Availale on wikipedia: "the boy is stranded and the bittersweet memory of his mother, who Brian has discovered was cheating on his father...Finally, after reaching his father, he is no closer to being able to tell him about the mother's affair than at the novel's beginning." Though the boy's learning survival skills is empowering to him, it does noting to help him survive the emotional wilderness created by his selfish parents.
KitchenWitch avatar reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
My son had to read this book for his class at school. I read it too, and it is a great read.
Young Brian goes through quite a bit in this tale, and just when you think it can't get any worse for him it does. This book is well written and shows very real and scary dilemmas, and great courage and wit by a teenage boy trying to survive with only his hatchet.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 82 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Sitting next to the pilot in a single-engine plane headed for the Canadian wilderness, where he will visit his father for the first time since his parents' divorce, thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is haunted by his thoughts of that divorce and his knowledge of the Secret that caused it. When the plane crashes, Brian is the sole survivor. Left with only the clothes on his back and a hatchet his mother gave him as a parting gift, Brian must face the devastating truth: "Right now I'm all I've got. I have to do something." He must learn to survive.
cheermom140 avatar reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 85 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I listened to this book as an audio book a few years ago (I'm an adult) and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's about a young boy who is stranded in the wilderness after the plane he was flying in crashed and the pilot died. He is left completely alone with only his wits and a small hatchet. I found it exciting and well written (it's probably for 5th through 8th grade level). Both children and adults will enjoy this book.
GainesvilleGirl avatar reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 215 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Gary Paulson is an extremely popular writer of young adult novels. In this one he outdoes himself with his heartpounding happenings that will catch the reader and hold him or her until the end, which by the way is a happy one. Girls and boys alike will love this book. It's purely adventure, thrills, and emotions, as Brian, a super smart kid, uses his wits and knowledge to keep himself alive until help arrives.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 32 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a Newberry Honor Book about a young man who survives a plane crash landing in the wildnerness and has to learn to survive on his own. Well written.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
1988 Newbery Honor Book: Nail-biting survival story.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on
Very quick read - suitable for younger readers.
daylily77 avatar reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 236 more book reviews
Enjoyed this book. My son was reading it for his class. A quick easy read. My son is in the fourth grade and this book is age appropriate. Shortly before I read Stranded by Jeff Probst. Stranded may be better for lower grade levels. My son and I are both interested in reading more by this author.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 21 more book reviews
This book is a treasure for teens as well as adults; for both female and male. It's an adventure that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on
An excellent book. My son and I both read it and loved it.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 13 more book reviews
Although I haven't read this book for over 10 years, it is still one of my favorites. It is written so vividly, I still remember the feelings I had when I'd read this book so many times as a kid. It would be a great read for a reader new to novels- not just for boys.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 8 more book reviews
excellent book for middle schooler
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 44 more book reviews
pre teen boy lands plane by himself in wilderness and has to survive with nothing but clothes on his back and a hatchet. Good adventure book for boys 11 and up
Cordelia avatar reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 153 more book reviews
I found the book interesting reading, however, the author didn't research wild animals all that well. There is an error in the book.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 18 more book reviews
Thoughts of his parents' divorce fill Brian Robeson's head as he flies in a single-engine plane to visit his father in the CAnadian wilderness. When the pilot suffers a massive heart attack and dies, Brian must somehow land the plane by himself and then, left with only the clothes he is wearing and a hatchet he recieved from his mother as a parting gift, Brian must put thoughts of his past behind him and try to figure out how he cant stay alive.....
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 37 more book reviews
Amazing book. Just incredible- for a guy or a girl. Also good is Brian's Winter, the hypothetical quasi-sequel.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 42 more book reviews
Fascinating Reading for any age!
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 16 more book reviews
Recommended Classic - Newberry Award Winner Ages 12 and up.
englishrose7 avatar reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 115 more book reviews
Sitting next to the pilot in a single-engine plane headed for the Canadian wilderness, where he will visit his father for the first time since his parents' divorce, thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is haunted by thoughts of that divorce and his knowledge of the Secret that caused it.

When the plane crashes, Brian is the sole survivor. Left with only the clothes on his back and a hatchet his mother gave him as a parting gift, Brian must face the devastating truth: "Right now I'm all I've got. I have to do something." He must learn to survive.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 25 more book reviews
1988 Newbery Honor Book. Book cover says, "Sitting next to the pilot in a single-engine plane headed for the Canadian wilderness, where he will visit his father for the first time since his parent's divorce, thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is haunted by thoughts of that divorce and his knoledge of the Secret that caused it. When the plane crashes...
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 2 more book reviews
Middle school students really enjoy this book of action and survival. Brian, on the way to visit his father, is involved in a plane crash. He is the only survivor. Teens really love this book. It is a great read aloud. Yes, teens will listen to books read to them!
Alison avatar reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 551 more book reviews
wonderful teens book
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 20 more book reviews
an amazing tale of how a boy survives in the wilderness on his own.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 98 more book reviews
Terrific read! A page turner for anyone!
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 6 more book reviews
Great book to read with my 4th graders before I retired from teaching. It really got boys reading who did not read a lot before! Now I hope to share it with my grandson.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 8 more book reviews
Great book! More for children though.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 12 more book reviews
My son had to read this for school, he really enjoyed the story.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 16 more book reviews
Got it for my grandson
Cordelia avatar reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 153 more book reviews
An error was found near the end of the book-obviously the author did not do research regarding some of the creatures he wrote about. Interesting book regarding a young boy's survival after an airplane crash. Read it and see if YOU can find the error!!
JiminyCricket avatar reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 150 more book reviews
Sitting next to the pilot in a single-engine plane headed for the Canadian wilderness, where he will visit his father for the first time since his parents' divorce, thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is haunted by thoughts of that divorce and his knowledge of the Secret that caused it.

When the plane crashes, Brian is the sole survivor.

Left with only the clothes on his back and a hatchet his mother gave him as a parting gift, Brian must face the devaststing truth: "Right now I'm all I've got. I have to do something."
He must learn to survive.
biohazard avatar reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 28 more book reviews
i think the auther captured the age of the boy in the story and showed the real dangers of the wild.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 711 more book reviews
Thoughts of his parents' divorce fill Brian Robeson's head as he flies in a single-engine plane to visit his father in the Canadian wilderness. When the pilot suffers a massive heart attack and dies, Brian must somehow land the plane by himself and then, left with only the clothes he is wearing and a hatchet he received from his mother as a parting gift, Brian must put thoughts of his past behind him and try to figure out how he can stay alive...*A Newbery Honor Book *An ALA Notable Book *Booklist Editor's Choice
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 353 more book reviews
great for a young boy reader. Did not interest me and did not realize it was for a younger reader group or that it was a series.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on
Newbery Honor Book
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on
A great adventure book for tween boys.
reviewed Hatchet (Brian's Saga, Bk 1) on + 75 more book reviews
Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father when the single-engine plane in which he is flying crashes. Suddenly, Brian finds himself alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a tattered windbreaker and the hatchet his mother gave him as a present -- and the dreadful secret that has been tearing him apart since his parents' divorce. But now Brian has no time for anger, self-pity or despair -- it will take all his know-how and determination, and more courage than he knew he possessed, to survive.