Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen
Thirteen year old Brian Robeson is flying in a bush plane over the Canadian wilderness on his way to spend the summer with his dad. He is alone in the plane with the pilot, when the pilot has a heart attack. Brian has no choice, he has to take over control of the plane and try to land it. He crash-lands the plane into a lake. He is alive, but he is alone. He has nothing but the clothes he is wearing and a small hatchet, which was a parting gift from his mother. Brian needs shelter and he needs food. Can a city boy survive in the wilderness? Will he be rescued?
Each time I read this novel, I find it as thrilling as the first time I was lucky enough to pick it up. Hatchet is an exciting, roller coaster ride of a book. Once you pick it up, it is impossible to put down. Woe betide anyone who tries to gain your attention whilst you are reading this novel!
