Brian's Winter discussion

For my second to last Goodreads novel, I decided to read Brian’s Winter by Gary Paulsen. It is the second novel in the Hatchet series which I read earlier this semester. Brian’s Winter was written as if Brian had not been rescued at the end of Hatchet so it acts as an alternative ending. Instead of Brian being rescued after spending weeks alone in the woods, he must now survive a winter by himself. Brian discovers new ways to survive such as making arrowheads so he can kill larger prey. He also learns how to keep himself warm as the temperature quickly drops. Brian encounters some wolves marking their territory near his camp. Later he finds a bear in his camp that ends up stealing some of his food. His days consist of finding new ways to hunt and keeping himself warm. He befriends a skunk during the novel that he names Betty. Betty ends up saving Brian from the same bear he encountered earlier in the novel by spraying it. Later, Brian comes across a moose that he ends up killing and storing for food. He eventually comes across a camp where he stays for a few weeks before finally going home. I think elementary students of all ages and genders would love reading this novel. I think Brian’s Winter is appealing to everyone. It does not contain any content for mature readers which is why I think it would be perfect for anyone who is able to read it. Gary Paulsen is an author that I definitely want to keep tabs on. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading his novels and think they would be great to read to an elementary school class.

I agree. In forth grade I had a teacher, Mrs May, who read to us Hatchet, The River, Brian's Winter, The Rifle, and Where the Red Fern Grows. I have since read over 15 Gary Paulsen books, own each I've read, and my son has read Dogsong, the Hatchet Series, The Rifle, and Woods Runner. To say the least, his work has impacted our lives.