Search - Hatchet

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.

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.

an amazing tale of how a boy survives in the wilderness on his own.

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.

1988 Newbery Honor Book: Nail-biting survival story.

Fascinating Reading for any age!