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Hatchet

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About The Book

This award-winning contemporary classic is the survival story with which all others are compared—and a page-turning, heart-stopping adventure, recipient of the Newbery Honor. Hatchet has also been nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.

Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson, haunted by his secret knowledge of his mother’s infidelity, is traveling by single-engine plane to visit his father for the first time since the divorce. When the plane crashes, killing the pilot, the sole survivor is Brian. He is alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but his clothing, a tattered windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother had given him as a present.

At first consumed by despair and self-pity, Brian slowly learns survival skills—how to make a shelter for himself, how to hunt and fish and forage for food, how to make a fire—and even finds the courage to start over from scratch when a tornado ravages his campsite. When Brian is finally rescued after fifty-four days in the wild, he emerges from his ordeal with new patience and maturity, and a greater understanding of himself and his parents.

About The Author

Photo by Ruth Wright Paulsen

Gary Paulsen (1931–2021) was one of the most honored writers of contemporary literature for young readers, author of three Newbery Honor titles, Dogsong, Hatchet, and The Winter Room. He wrote over 100 books for adults and young readers. 

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (December 26, 2006)
  • Length: 192 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781416936473
  • Grades: 5 - 9
  • Ages: 10 - 14
  • Lexile ® 1020L The Lexile reading levels have been certified by the Lexile developer, MetaMetrics®
  • Fountas & Pinnell™ V These books have been officially leveled by using the F&P Text Level Gradient™ Leveling System

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Raves and Reviews

"This is a spellbinding account...a winner."
-- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Riveting."
-- Booklist, starred review

Awards and Honors

  • ALA Newbery Honor Book
  • ALA Notable Children's Books
  • Booklist Editors' Choice
  • Flicker Tale Award (ND)
  • William Allen White Children's Book Award (KS)
  • CBC/NCSS Notable Children's Book in Social Studies
  • Georgia Children's Book Award
  • Young Hoosier Book Award (IN)
  • ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults
  • Booklist Best Of 80's
  • Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award (VT)
  • Virginia Young Readers Book Award
  • Buckeye Children's Book Award (OH)
  • Golden Archer Award (WI)
  • Iowa Teen Award
  • Massachusetts Children's Book Award
  • Maud Hart Lovelace Award (MN)
  • Minnesota Book Award
  • High School Sequoyah Book Award (OK)
  • Oregon Battle of the Books List
  • 3 Apples Book Award Master List (NY)
  • Bluestem Book Award Master List (IL)

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Gary Paulsen