Hatchet By Gary Paulsen Mrs. Griffith

About Gary Paulsen He was born on May 17, 1939. He ran away from home at age 14 and traveled with the carnival. Participated several times in 1,180-mile Alaskan dog sled race, the Iditarod. Paulsen and his wife, an artist who has illustrated several of his books, live in New Mexico and a boat in the Pacific.

Realistic Fiction The book Hatchet is realistic fiction. The characters behave in realistic ways. The setting is in modern times.

Summary Hatchet is the story of a 13 years old boy Brian Robeson and his survival in the wilderness. He is trying to cope with his parents' recent divorce. On his way to visit his father in northern Canada, the pilot dies of a heart attack. Brian attempts to fly the plane and ends up stranded in the Canadian wilderness for the next 54 days. Brian’s mother had given him a hatchet as a gift when he left for this trip. The hatchet becomes his way to survive in this environment. He becomes more responsible and mature in order to survive. Brian's days are now spent looking for shelter and food. He is able to find the plane’s survival pack and radio for help. Even after the rescue Brian keeps his newly acquired skills, maturity, and responsibility. I liked this book and would recommend it to others. It has exciting parts and keeps you wanting to read more to see what happens to Brian.

Works Cited Kidsreads.com. 2010. The Book Report Inc. 30 Dec 2009 <http://www.kidsreads.com/authors/au-paulsen-gary.asp>. Clipart. 2009. Getty Images. 30 Dec. 2009 <http://www.clipart.com/>. Mack, Mrs. Genres. 26 Aug. 2006 George H. Fisher Elementary. 30 Dec. 2009 <http://students.resa.net/brownm/genres.htm>.