Brian Robeson is a thirteen-year-old boy, the son of
divorced parents. While traveling
through Canada on a Cessna plane to meet his father for the summer, the pilot
suffers a massive heart attack and dies.
Brian survives a crash-landing in the forest, leaving him stranded on
his own with nothing to help him survive…except for a single hatchet.
“Hatchet” is a fast-paced adventure story which is
considered to be one of today’s must-read books for young men, although I’m
ashamed to say I never read it before now.
It’s a fast-paced story in which a seemingly endless series of
challenges are thrown at Brian, one after another. In fact, the only thing I really didn’t care
for with this book was the way that it all seemed so unfair! After surviving a traumatic plane crash, you’d
think the last thing Brian would have to worry about would be dying from
starvation or exposure!
Mr. Paulsen’s book proved so popular that he went on to
write another four books in the “Hatchet” series, which collectively became
known as “Brian’s Saga”. I’m planning to
move on to the first sequel in the series soon, if only to find out what kind
of adventures Brian will be thrown into next.
Even though it never seems fair when it’s the entire world against one
boy, these hopeless situations sure make for a great story! “Hatchet” gets my strongest recommendation,
so be sure to pick up your copy today.
