Hatchet discussion

What did you think of this book? I thought it had a pretty good story line considering the book was aimed for a little bit lower reading level. I wish the story would have continued to talk about Bryan going home and having to tell his father about "the big secret".

I think it does in the other books in the series. I really liked the pace of the book. The reader doesn't have to wait to long for things to get interesting or for him to solve the next the problem. The thing about this and some of the other books we are reading is that the character is faced with a problem, and we as readers have to keep reading to find out how that problem gets solved. In Hatchet, the big problem is whether or not he's going to get rescued, but there are lots of other smaller problems he has to solve along the way: shelter, food, warmth, etc.
Why do you think this book so popular?

In the beginning i had a feeling that Brian would have a lot of room to grow as a character. The book picks up nearly right away and the traumatic event is really just the start of a great story line. personally I love the out doors and that is why this book kept me reading. Do you think that Brian developed the same way you would in his situation?

I think it is a pretty popular book because it keeps all age groups and reading levels engaged through the whole book because it sucks them in right away with the plane crash and keeps the glued to the book all the way up to the end.

i agree with what you said

Ok, Rhett. Why do you agree? Be specific.

randy i would like to hear what you have to say about the book. if we can get another opinion on the book we can determine if it is an overall good book. Personally, I think this book has a sudden jump into action and then it stays at the same intensity mainly the whole time. To me the book was half way predictable but there were some parts that shocked me.

Well Rhett, I really liked the book mostly because it had a very good story line that was easy to follow and read. I really like how well it shows the aspect of how times can dramatically change in a matter of seconds. Within minutes Brain went from a casual conversation with the pilot to flying the plane himself. I also really liked how well Brian copes with his own mind in the challenges that face him, I think the book is very popular because a lot of people seem to be into survival books and this is one of the best and easiest ones to read

what is the theme of this book in your opinion?

Gary paulsen is a great author, I think. he really can keep a story moving and the plot of this book is a favorite of mine.

Question #3- I admire Brian because he is just a young boy stranded in the wild with no supplies to survive with, but somehow he is able to survive for an extended period of time all by himself. Most kids his age would just shut down and give up if they were put in the same situation as him.

Question #10- I found that the end of the story did not really solve very much. It abruptly ended leaving me feeling like I don't really know what happened to Brian. I would have like to see what happens when he goes home with his mothers big secret.