Plot Summary
Brian is a 13 year old boy, his parents are recently divorced, and he is suppose to spend the summer with his father who has taken a job working in Canada. The pilot of the small two person plane dies mid-flight and Brian must crash land the plane into a forest lake. With just his wits and the hatchet that his mother gave him as a present just for before take off, Brian must learn to survive in the wilderness.
Critical Analysis
Hatchet is a Newbery Honor book, and after reading this book, it is easy to tell why it was chosen as one of the best books of 1988. Paulsen expertly writes an action packed story of survival coupled with vivid descriptions that make it easy for the reader to imagine themselves right alongside Brian. The story had me turning the page to find out what new obstacle mother nature would throw at Brian and how he would adapt to the situation. He must find food, shelter, learn to deal with swarming insects and wild animals. In classic literary style, the many trials Brian faces transforms him from an unsure boy into a more confident, self-sufficient young man. The one weakness of the story line was the treatment of the secret. My feeling is that the secret was included in the story line to show Brians emotional growth throughout the story. However, Brians parents were already divorced and living in different countries so I felt the importance placed on this detail was unwarranted. Overall, I really enjoyed this story of adventure and self discovery.
Brian is a 13 year old boy, his parents are recently divorced, and he is suppose to spend the summer with his father who has taken a job working in Canada. The pilot of the small two person plane dies mid-flight and Brian must crash land the plane into a forest lake. With just his wits and the hatchet that his mother gave him as a present just for before take off, Brian must learn to survive in the wilderness.
Critical Analysis
Hatchet is a Newbery Honor book, and after reading this book, it is easy to tell why it was chosen as one of the best books of 1988. Paulsen expertly writes an action packed story of survival coupled with vivid descriptions that make it easy for the reader to imagine themselves right alongside Brian. The story had me turning the page to find out what new obstacle mother nature would throw at Brian and how he would adapt to the situation. He must find food, shelter, learn to deal with swarming insects and wild animals. In classic literary style, the many trials Brian faces transforms him from an unsure boy into a more confident, self-sufficient young man. The one weakness of the story line was the treatment of the secret. My feeling is that the secret was included in the story line to show Brians emotional growth throughout the story. However, Brians parents were already divorced and living in different countries so I felt the importance placed on this detail was unwarranted. Overall, I really enjoyed this story of adventure and self discovery.
