Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
ISBN: 0-02-770130-1
Paulsen, G. (1987). Hatchet. New York: Bradbury Press.
Read by Peter Coyote
Produced by Blane and DeRosa Productions Listening Library
Plot Summary
Brian Robeson’s parents are newly divorced and he is headed off on a small plane to visit his father in Canada. The pilot suffers a heart attack and suddenly dies, leaving Brian alone to pilot the plane. He manages to land suddenly, but is alone, out of range of the plane’s radio, without any resources. Brian immediately despairs, but has a hatchet to help. He makes a small shelter against a boulder and finds berries to pick and eat. A few days after landing, a plane flies overhead, but leaves without seeing Brian. Brian understands it was a search plane, and likely will not return. He concentrates on making a bow and arrow as well as a spear for hunting. Just as Brian is feeling comfortable and getting a handle on life a moose attacks him. Days later a tornado hits and his shelter and food reserves are destroyed. When Brian recovers he finds that the plane is now in the water, and remembers there is a survival pack. What is in the survival pack? Will there be food, a sleeping bag, a radio?
Critical Evaluation
Paulsen could easily have written a thrilling, fascinating adventure story about survival in the forest, but Hatchet is much more than that. Paulsen covers the dual themes of survival and isolation, both physical and emotional. Just as Brian learns to survive in the wild forest he learns to survive his parents’ divorce. This one-person story balances the adventure and survival aspect with Brian’s growth as a young man who is prepared to deal with the disintegration of his family. Because of the divorce Brian has a self imposed emotional isolation from his parents as he does not want to reveal the hurt and anger he feels. Now, stranded on the island physical isolation threatens his life. When Brian is rescued the reader will recognize that he has come to terms with both threats. He is no longer a whiny, helpless teen, but a stronger and more mature young man.
Coyote's reading of Hatchet is a solid effort. There is not much need for varying voices and tones, but Coyote manages to make a one-person story interesting. At times the reading sounded awkward and stilted, but it also may have been the written book not translating well to spoken narration. The background music was often distracting and unnecessarily ominous. The book is already dramatic enough without overdone music or background noise. Individual chapters in the novel were not spoken, which created a flowing listening experience, but also made finding a stopping point difficult. At the same time, track changes were seamless, preventing a break in the story. Overall, an enjoyable audiobook that likely increased the suspense and investment to Brian.
Reader’s Annotation
After Brian crash lands in the wilderness, he must somehow learn how to survive alone until someone can save him.
About the Author/Reader
While working in California Paulsen realized he wanted to be a writer. He quit his job and spent a year proofreading magazines in Hollywood. Paulsen moved to the woods in Minnesota and wrote his first novel. Hatchet came about from his survivalist experiences living in the woods. He received so many letters from readers about the sudden ending in Hatchet that Paulsen decided to write Brian’s Winter, an alternate ending that continues Brian’s adventure in the wilderness.
Gary Paulsen was never a strong student, but after a visit to the library, he became a lifelong reader. He ran away at 14 to join a carnival, and held a variety of jobs including engineer, construction worker, ranch hand, truck driver, and sailor. Paulsen became interested in dog sled racing and participated in the Iditarod twice. After becoming ill, Paulsen stopped racing and turned his efforts to writing instead. He has written more than 175 books, 200 articles and short stories, has had three Newbery Honor books, and his books appear on American Library Association’s best book lists. Paulsen is married to Ruth Wright Paulsen and live part-time in New Mexico and a boat.
Peter Coyote was born Rachmil Pinchus Ben Mosha Cohon in New York. At sixteen, Coyote began acting classes at the Neighborhood Playhouse. He attended Grinnell College and became an activist organizer. He graduated with a BA in English Literature and then attended San Francisco State University for Creative Writing. Coyote continued to be a part of San Francisco’s counter-culture. In the late 1970s he returned to acting and has now been part of 70 films. In the 80s, Coyote began doing voiceovers and won an Emmy in 1992. Other than Hatchet, Coyote has read several other audiobooks. Coyote has two adult children and married Stefanie Pleet in 2000.
Genre
Action & Adventure/Survival
Audiobook
Curriculum Ties
N/A
Booktalking
Brian is fourteen, alone in the wilderness, without food, water, or shelter. What does he do?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 6th grade
IL: 6th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include the survivalist and independence Brian experiences away from adults.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
I had never read Hatchet, but it is a popular book and on school reading lists in my area. Additionally, it was a 1987 Newbury Honor.
Others in the Series
Brian’s Winter (Book #2- Alternate Ending)
The River (Book # 3)
Brian’s Return (Book #4)
Brian’s Hunt (Book #5)
References
Coyote, P. (1998) Biography. Retrieved from http://www.petercoyote.com/biography.html
Random House. (2004). About gary. Retrieved from http://www.randomhouse.com/features/garypaulsen/about.html
ISBN: 0-02-770130-1
Paulsen, G. (1987). Hatchet. New York: Bradbury Press.
Read by Peter Coyote
Produced by Blane and DeRosa Productions Listening Library
Plot Summary
Brian Robeson’s parents are newly divorced and he is headed off on a small plane to visit his father in Canada. The pilot suffers a heart attack and suddenly dies, leaving Brian alone to pilot the plane. He manages to land suddenly, but is alone, out of range of the plane’s radio, without any resources. Brian immediately despairs, but has a hatchet to help. He makes a small shelter against a boulder and finds berries to pick and eat. A few days after landing, a plane flies overhead, but leaves without seeing Brian. Brian understands it was a search plane, and likely will not return. He concentrates on making a bow and arrow as well as a spear for hunting. Just as Brian is feeling comfortable and getting a handle on life a moose attacks him. Days later a tornado hits and his shelter and food reserves are destroyed. When Brian recovers he finds that the plane is now in the water, and remembers there is a survival pack. What is in the survival pack? Will there be food, a sleeping bag, a radio?
Critical Evaluation
Paulsen could easily have written a thrilling, fascinating adventure story about survival in the forest, but Hatchet is much more than that. Paulsen covers the dual themes of survival and isolation, both physical and emotional. Just as Brian learns to survive in the wild forest he learns to survive his parents’ divorce. This one-person story balances the adventure and survival aspect with Brian’s growth as a young man who is prepared to deal with the disintegration of his family. Because of the divorce Brian has a self imposed emotional isolation from his parents as he does not want to reveal the hurt and anger he feels. Now, stranded on the island physical isolation threatens his life. When Brian is rescued the reader will recognize that he has come to terms with both threats. He is no longer a whiny, helpless teen, but a stronger and more mature young man.
Coyote's reading of Hatchet is a solid effort. There is not much need for varying voices and tones, but Coyote manages to make a one-person story interesting. At times the reading sounded awkward and stilted, but it also may have been the written book not translating well to spoken narration. The background music was often distracting and unnecessarily ominous. The book is already dramatic enough without overdone music or background noise. Individual chapters in the novel were not spoken, which created a flowing listening experience, but also made finding a stopping point difficult. At the same time, track changes were seamless, preventing a break in the story. Overall, an enjoyable audiobook that likely increased the suspense and investment to Brian.
Reader’s Annotation
After Brian crash lands in the wilderness, he must somehow learn how to survive alone until someone can save him.
About the Author/Reader
While working in California Paulsen realized he wanted to be a writer. He quit his job and spent a year proofreading magazines in Hollywood. Paulsen moved to the woods in Minnesota and wrote his first novel. Hatchet came about from his survivalist experiences living in the woods. He received so many letters from readers about the sudden ending in Hatchet that Paulsen decided to write Brian’s Winter, an alternate ending that continues Brian’s adventure in the wilderness.
Gary Paulsen was never a strong student, but after a visit to the library, he became a lifelong reader. He ran away at 14 to join a carnival, and held a variety of jobs including engineer, construction worker, ranch hand, truck driver, and sailor. Paulsen became interested in dog sled racing and participated in the Iditarod twice. After becoming ill, Paulsen stopped racing and turned his efforts to writing instead. He has written more than 175 books, 200 articles and short stories, has had three Newbery Honor books, and his books appear on American Library Association’s best book lists. Paulsen is married to Ruth Wright Paulsen and live part-time in New Mexico and a boat.
Peter Coyote was born Rachmil Pinchus Ben Mosha Cohon in New York. At sixteen, Coyote began acting classes at the Neighborhood Playhouse. He attended Grinnell College and became an activist organizer. He graduated with a BA in English Literature and then attended San Francisco State University for Creative Writing. Coyote continued to be a part of San Francisco’s counter-culture. In the late 1970s he returned to acting and has now been part of 70 films. In the 80s, Coyote began doing voiceovers and won an Emmy in 1992. Other than Hatchet, Coyote has read several other audiobooks. Coyote has two adult children and married Stefanie Pleet in 2000.
Genre
Action & Adventure/Survival
Audiobook
Curriculum Ties
N/A
Booktalking
Brian is fourteen, alone in the wilderness, without food, water, or shelter. What does he do?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 6th grade
IL: 6th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues include the survivalist and independence Brian experiences away from adults.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
I had never read Hatchet, but it is a popular book and on school reading lists in my area. Additionally, it was a 1987 Newbury Honor.
Others in the Series
Brian’s Winter (Book #2- Alternate Ending)
The River (Book # 3)
Brian’s Return (Book #4)
Brian’s Hunt (Book #5)
References
Coyote, P. (1998) Biography. Retrieved from http://www.petercoyote.com/biography.html
Random House. (2004). About gary. Retrieved from http://www.randomhouse.com/features/garypaulsen/about.html
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