Hatchet Paperback – 1 Jan. 2007

Despite the title making it sound like an 18+ horror, this is in fact a beautifully written adventure story about 13 year old Brian Robeson. He is flying north across the Canadian wilderness to visit his father, when the pilot has a heart attack and dies - throwing the small 2-seater plane way off course in the process. Brian survives the crash and has to learn how to survive on his own, with only the hatchet that his mother gifted to him for help.Author Gary Paulsen's own adventurous life more than qualifies him to pen such a gripping story. As a teacher, in Europe, I take advantage of the fact that his books are still relatively unknown outside of North America, and study it with my students - it's refreshing to find a book where half the class don't announce, 'I've read this' - and they always love it!EXCITING TIP: If you loved this book then head straight for 'Brian's Winter' - it'd be a slight spoiler if I told you what it's about...but it's a VERY clever little 'what if...' sequel idea from Paulsen!

This book was recommended to me by a teacher at my son's school. He is an extremely reluctant reader and I don't think he's finished a book since the Biff & Chip books he was forced to read with me & his Father in the infants! I was advised to get a short book that can grip his attention and that he has a hope of finishing. It came today (have already posted positive seller feedback) and I have read it myself already. Literally didn't put it down for a few hours. Now everyone is waiting for their dinner but I had to post this review first. Great book. I can see it grabbing the attention of both boys and girls. My son is going into secondary school shortly and needs to read over the summer. I have just handed this to him and I will provide and update as to whether or not it's managed to capture his imagination. This is my last resort. Nothing else has worked! There has been so many positive comments from the teachers at school about this book that I think only the most resilient of anti-readers will resist it.

Imagine you are a child on a plane flight in a small plane across the Canadian Wilderness, when the pilot suddenly has a massive and extremely lethal heart attack, leaving you alone. Imagine the sum total of your flight experience is the few minutes when you held the plane straight and level earlier in the flight. That is the position Brian finds himself in at the start of this novel. Surviving a crash landing, this city boy, with no survival training and nothing but a hatchet and the clothes he is wearing to help him, must learn how to survive in a wild and unforgiving place.This is a compelling survival story, well written, gritty and realistic. It captivated me despite being well over its target age range, and it will be equally captivating to a young adult audience. Thoroughly recommended.

Brian Robeson was 13yrs and a passenger in a Cessna 406, he had left New York and was off to see his father who worked in the oil fields in Canada, his parents were separated, Brian sat in the co pilots seat, the pilot appeared ill, as he left his mother she gave him a hatchet as a present, the pilot has a heart attack and dies, Brian was alone and did not know how to fly, the radio didn't work, fuel was running out and he had to land, he saw a lake, the plane crashed into trees and sank in the lake, Brian tears off his seatbelt and swims to shore, he is exhausted, this gives him time to think of his mother, Brian had seen her with another man, when he recovers he finds no breaks but his head is swollen, then mosquitos cover him, he sleeps, Brian has no idea where he is, he drinks from the lake and is then faced with hungerAll Brian has is his hatchet, and a broken watch, first he must make shelter and look for food, as the sun went down he was once more covered in mosquitos, he had found berries and eaten a great ammount, he was now in agony with his stomach and had terrible diarrhoea, he awoke in the morning and cried, Brian had to face all this and much more alone, there will be bears and a bad experience with a porcupine, Brian would have to work out how to make fire, he would have to find food, learn how to fish, how to make weapons, he has a losing battle with a skunk, Brian has to survive a tornado and an animal attack that nearly kills him, can Brian survive long enough to be rescuedMy verdict, quite enjoyed this book, well worth a read

Branson aged 12 found it a really good read. Quick delivery.

Really great book for 9+. Well written and interesting story line.

The book that started the Brian series so well written it really draws you in you can really imagine being there. Highly recommended

Both my son's (and me) enjoyed this book. Don't want to spoil the story too much but it's gripping, most kids will enjoy this! Brian is a city boy. Not used to being alone. Not used to living rough. Until his plane crash-lands in the Canadian wilderness. All he is left with is a hatchet.