Saturday, March 5, 2011

Module 7: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen


Citation:

Paulsen, G. (1987). Hatchet. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young People

Summary:

This is a story of survival emotional and physical. Brian, who is 13 is on a plane to Canada when his plane crashes. Everyone on the plane dies except Brian. He has very few items to help him survive and is all alone in the woods. The most important item he does have is his hatchet, which was given to him by his mom. He uses it to make his shelter and traps. He is also dealing with the divorce of his parents with he is not taking very well. He is angry with them about the divorce. He learns to survive by making shelter and figuring out how to catch fish and make a fire. He also deals with many emotional issues. He eventually gets rescued and learns to forgive his parents. He also learns that the divorce had nothing to do with him.

My Opinion:

This is an incredible story about survival. This story may seem to appeal more to boys but I feel that it would be great for a unit study for the entire class. There is something in storyline that will appeal to everyone. Brian’s self taught skills and braveness is what helps him survive and what I feel, is what will appeal to students of all genders. This is for sure on my new favorite list.

Reviews:

Chatton, B. (1987, December 1). [Review of the book Hatchet by Gary Paulsen]. School Library Journal. Retrieved by Bowker’s Books in Print


School Library Journal (December 1, 1987)

Gr 8-12 Brian Robeson, 13, is the only passenger on a small plane flying him to visit his father in the Canadian wilderness when the pilot has a heart attack and dies. The plane drifts off course and finally crashes into a small lake. Miraculously Brian is able to swim free of the plane, arriving on a sandy tree-lined shore with only his clothing, a tattered windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother had given him as a present. The novel chronicles in gritty detail Brian's mistakes, setbacks, and small triumphs as, with the help of the hatchet, he manages to survive the 54 days alone in the wilderness. Paulsen effectively shows readers how Brian learns patienceto watch, listen, and think before he actsas he attempts to build a fire, to fish and hunt, and to make his home under a rock overhang safe and comfortable. An epilogue discussing the lasting effects of Brian's stay in the wilderness and his dim chance of survival had winter come upon him before rescue adds credibility to the story. Paulsen tells a fine adventure story, but the sub-plot concerning Brian's preoccupation with his parents' divorce seems a bit forced and detracts from the book. As he did in Dogsong (Bradbury, 1985), Paulsen emphasizes character growth through a careful balancing of specific details of survival with the protagonist's thoughts and emotions. Barbara Chatton, College of Education, University of Wyoming, Laramie (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Uses for the library:
I would read a passage or chapter out of this book to help the students understand what the Newbery Metal is all about. I could use this small snippet of the book to hopefully inspire the students to want to read a Newbery award winning book. I could also discuss how in realistic fiction there are many issues that characters deal with that happen in real life.

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