Hatchet

This started out being a entertainment for a road trip and turned into a highlight of our weekend away. My mind kept going back to the movie "Castaway" with Tom Hanks. The way such a young boy finds strength in himself, against all odds, is absolutely inspiring.

This is a story about a young boy, aged about 12, whose parents are divorcing. He is on his way to visit his father in the Canadian wilderness when a disaster occurs. The pilot has a heart attack and dies, mid-flight, and the boy must figure out how to get the plane to land and then survive in the Canadian wilderness until help arrives. My son read it in 6th grade and loved it, and he really hated to read. It does have some mature themes -- divorce, infidelity, and death -- so is not suitable for K-4 or K-5 children. It is, however, an enthralling story that pre-teens and young adolescents enjoy.

Gary Paulsen wrote an excellent book on self-reliance, strong character and good common sense,and he wrapped it all up in an exciting survival story. Brian is an incredible character. Every kid should read this book in Middle School. I recommend the audio book for car trips. It keeps everyone engaged and makes the drive time much more enjoyable!! Look for the 2 sequels as well.

I listened to this story after my 4th grade daughter reccomended it to me! They read it in class and I listened while doing my usual stuff. It was so amazing, gripping, sad, exciting and truly visual that I would have to stop what I was doing just to stare at my laptop! Peter Coyote is a brilliant narrator/actor and I want to hear more of his narrations now. Thank you to author Paulson for a great story. Can't wait to hear THE RIVER.

Yes, this is another survival story - but this one is very well written indeed. I downloaded it for the children, but it was a pleasure for the whole family to listen to during a very long drive across France.

I could listen to Peter Coyote read anything. The story itself is a wonderful tale of adventure in the very harsh world of the wilds, yet there is a beauty in this boy's struggle to survive. The scenes of desperateness will make you breath shallow and strain to hear. It is a great story, too good to be fiction. Enjoy.

I don't know where to start in singing the praises of "Hatchet"! It has all the key ingredients necessary in a good audiobook, including a narrator who reads with emotion and clarity, and a thoroughly gripping plot. I nearly missed my bus one morning, I was so engrossed in the story! For anyone who loved/s "My Side of the Mountain," this is even better.

I chose this book based on the reviews primarily for my 12-year-old son, but our entire family loved it. My son in particular loved it so much he e-mailed one of his former teachers to tell her he wished he had listened to her recommendation and read the book years ago when she first suggested it to him. The story is so fast-paced and action-packed from the beginning, that it leaves you breathless from the first paragraph. We listened to the majority of the book in the car, and had several "driveway moments," where we sat transfixed at our destination, desparate for just a few more minutes of listening so we could find out what happened next. This is a great book for the entire family to enjoy together.

I liked that it was based on a true story. I though it was interesting how he survives on instinct. Amazing that his mom gave him the hatchet for a gift just before flying.

Once I go through the weird music and the repetition in the first chapter it turned out to be a good little story. Even my daughter enjoyed. it.

There was some suspense and I felt it was very much from the point of view of a teenage boy which made it a bit annoying at times.

Overall I liked this book but it was kind of short for a full price.

I have had the sequel, The River, for several years. I hope you make it available.