In the book Hatchet, written by Gary Paulsen,13-year-old Brian Robeson decides to get on a plane for Canada to see his father. Earlier, Brian had just found out the reason for his parents’ divorce when he saw his mom with another man while riding a bike. The divorce really crushed Brian, but he had to try to move on. 

Brian gets on a small plane that carries just him and a pilot. As they are up in the air, the pilot shows Brian the basic controls of the plane and also teaches him how to fly. Teaching Brian the basics turned out to be a good move because during the flight, the pilot experiences some pain and has Brian take over flying. Then, out of nowhere, the pilot starts to shake out of control, and midair, abruptly dies. Although Brian is shocked, he needs to land the plane, but instead crashes into a lake.

When Brian finally gets out of the plane, he pukes up the water that he swallowed, and passes out near the lake. When he wakes up, he tries to find something to eat, thinking that someone could come and get him out of the area he is in. Brian ends up choosing to eat berries, which causes him to get really sick. While constantly struggling, he finally manages to build a shelter that he could stay in.

Although this book is written based on some of Paulsen’s experiences, no one in a million years would ever want to live like how Brian is now. His life back home was so much more different than it is now. At home, he would eat the delicious food his mom made him, but now he scavenged for any living creature that he is able to eat. Also, being a teen and not being able to be with someone who cares about you and being all alone are terrifying. Although Brian handled the situation very well, it is not something that he or anyone would want to go through. 

One day, Brian sees a plane fly over him. Thinking that it has come to rescue him, he feels his strength come back to him. However, the plane does not see him and flies right over him. This isn’t Brian's only obstacle. Throughout his stay, he was hit by a porcupine, gets run over by a moose, and skunked by a skunk. With all of this, Brian is truly at his breaking point. He begins to have suicidal thoughts and starts to cut himself. After his attempt to kill himself, he realizes that he must get out of where he is stranded. 

All of a sudden, a tornado comes through. Suddenly, the tail end of the plane sticks out of the lake. Brian then remembers that there are survival kits inside the plane that he can use. After having a difficult time getting the kits, he finally gets it and takes a look inside. He sees things that he could use, but most importantly, he finds dry food.

If there was something I would have wanted different about the book, it is the age of the main character. The protagonist was only 13 years of age when he had to go through all of that trauma, which is a lot for a child to handle. Also, it would have been a lot more realistic if this happened to someone who was in their twenties. All of the tasks that Brian accomplishes are very difficult that would fit the profile of someone who is a lot older. 

My favorite part of this adventure autobiography is when Brian faces the challenges that are thrown at him, which starts with the plane flying over his head. Even though many of his obstacles occurred before this, he finally feels the urge to become better and makes it out alive. Instead of giving up, he becomes even more determined to go back to his loved ones. Brian showed lots of bravery,thus making the novel very intriguing.

Check out Hatchet from NBPL!