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Hatchet
This award-winning contemporary classic is the survival story with which all others are compared—and a page-turning, heart-stopping adventure, recipient of the Newbery Honor. Hatchet has also been nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read.
Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson, haunted by his secret knowledge of his mother’s infidelity, is traveling by single-engine plane to visit his father for the first time since the divorce. When the plane crashes, killing the pilot, the sole survivor is Brian. He is alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but his clothing, a tattered windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother had given him as a present.
At first consumed by despair and self-pity, Brian slowly learns survival skills—how to make a shelter for himself, how to hunt and fish and forage for food, how to make a fire—and even finds the courage to start over from scratch when a tornado ravages his campsite. When Brian is finally rescued after fifty-four days in the wild, he emerges from his ordeal with new patience and maturity, and a greater understanding of himself and his parents.
Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson, haunted by his secret knowledge of his mother’s infidelity, is traveling by single-engine plane to visit his father for the first time since the divorce. When the plane crashes, killing the pilot, the sole survivor is Brian. He is alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but his clothing, a tattered windbreaker, and the hatchet his mother had given him as a present.
At first consumed by despair and self-pity, Brian slowly learns survival skills—how to make a shelter for himself, how to hunt and fish and forage for food, how to make a fire—and even finds the courage to start over from scratch when a tornado ravages his campsite. When Brian is finally rescued after fifty-four days in the wild, he emerges from his ordeal with new patience and maturity, and a greater understanding of himself and his parents.
192 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 11, 2024
This was a very good book. I read it when I was in middle school and I still remember what it’s about. I will be reading this again soon. Definitely recommend!!
February 14, 2026
This was a very good, fast paced story of survival that I initially picked because it’s part of a longer series, and our local library has them all. It didn’t take long to realize it’s a YA adventure novel haha.
Although I won’t continue the series, it was an engaging story of resilience as Brian crash landed a plane after the pilot’s heart attack, then survived 54 days alone in the wilderness.
Although I won’t continue the series, it was an engaging story of resilience as Brian crash landed a plane after the pilot’s heart attack, then survived 54 days alone in the wilderness.
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November 4, 2024good
July 19, 2025
liked it not my style of book gave me the creeps and gave me nightmares also was forced to read would read if you like fear that could absolutely come true not fun as a kid
November 11, 2025
It's just a such a good survival book!
December 4, 2025
One of the best survival books
Hatchet is interesting
Hatchet is interesting
January 11, 2026
good read for youth
February 7, 2026
So good for youth lit
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews