Celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of the Newbery Honor–winning survival novel Hatchet with a pocket-sized edition perfect for travelers to take along on their own adventures. This special anniversary edition includes a new introduction and commentary by author Gary Paulsen, pen-and-ink illustrations by Drew Willis, and a water resistant cover. 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.
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About the author
Gary Paulsen
Author
Gary James Paulsen was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction, best known for coming-of-age stories about the wilderness. He was the author of more than 200 books and wrote more than 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays, all primarily for teenagers. He won the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1997 for his lifetime contribution in writing for teens.
Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen
Books Like Hatchet
If you're looking for books similar to Hatchet, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
The Martian
Andy Weir
An astronaut is stranded alone on Mars and must use his scientific knowledge to survive. Like Hatchet, the story focuses on problem-solving and survival in an unforgiving environment. The protagonist must rely on his wits, resourcefulness, and determination to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. Themes of human resilience and adaptability are central.
Holes
Louis Sachar
A young boy is sent to a juvenile detention camp where he must dig holes in the desert as punishment. While different in setting, the story shares themes of personal resilience and overcoming challenging circumstances. The protagonist develops inner strength and problem-solving skills similar to Brian's journey. The novel explores survival, friendship, and personal transformation.
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Scott O'Dell
A young Native American girl survives alone on an island after her tribe is killed. Like Brian in Hatchet, she must learn survival skills and overcome isolation. The story explores themes of resilience, self-reliance, and adaptation to harsh wilderness conditions. Her resourcefulness and determination mirror Brian's journey of survival and personal growth.
Alive
Piers Paul Read
A true story of plane crash survivors in the Andes who must survive in extreme conditions. The narrative explores survival, teamwork, and human endurance in a harsh wilderness. Similar to Hatchet, the story focuses on overcoming seemingly impossible survival challenges. Personal transformation and resilience are key themes.
My Side of the Mountain
Jean Craighead George
A young boy deliberately leaves civilization to live alone in the wilderness, learning survival skills and self-sufficiency. Similar to Hatchet, the protagonist must create shelter, find food, and survive using his wits and limited resources. The novel explores themes of independence, survival, and connection with nature. The protagonist's personal growth and wilderness challenges closely parallel Brian's experience.
White Fang
Jack London
A wild wolf-dog hybrid learns to survive in the harsh Alaskan wilderness. The story explores themes of survival, adaptation, and the struggle between wilderness and civilization. Like Brian in Hatchet, the protagonist must develop skills and resilience to overcome challenging environments. The narrative focuses on survival instincts and personal transformation.
Into the Wild
Jon Krakauer
A true story of a young man who leaves civilization to survive in the Alaskan wilderness. The narrative explores themes of survival, personal discovery, and the human relationship with nature. Like Brian in Hatchet, the protagonist seeks to understand himself through wilderness experience. The story examines the challenges and philosophical implications of survival.
The Call of the Wild
Jack London
A domesticated dog is thrust into the harsh Alaskan wilderness and must adapt to survive. Like Hatchet, the story explores survival, adaptation, and the raw challenges of nature. The protagonist learns to rely on instinct and develop new skills to overcome environmental challenges. Themes of resilience and transformation are central to the narrative.
Ranger's Apprentice
John Flanagan
An orphan becomes apprenticed to a ranger and learns survival skills and combat techniques. While more fantasy-oriented, the story shares themes of personal growth and skill development. The protagonist must overcome challenges and develop self-reliance. The journey of learning and adaptation mirrors Brian's wilderness experience.
Touching Spirit Bear
Ben Mikaelsen
A troubled teenager is sent to a remote Alaskan wilderness as part of a Native American justice process. The protagonist must survive in harsh conditions and confront personal challenges. Similar to Hatchet, the story explores personal growth, survival skills, and inner transformation. The wilderness becomes a catalyst for emotional and psychological healing.
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