Hatchet is the story of a 13 year-old boy named Brian who is on a plane trip to see his dad for the summer. He is going from New Jersey to the Canadian oil fields. He is in the small plane because they are also bringing parts. He is not in the best mood because of his parents recent divorce. The pilot had been quiet for most of the trip but at one point shows Brian how to use the controls and even allows him to fly the plane for a moment. This gives Brian some knowledge that he is able to use to crash the plane into a lake after the pilot has a heart attack. The plane and everything but the hatchet attached to his pants sink. This leaves Brian with little few survival skills and little to help him. He has to learn through trial and error that eating all the berried he finds will make him sick. He also begins to encounter several types of wildlife such as bears and porcupine. It will be interesting to see just how he learns to deal with the animals in the woods and how he is able to survive. I think that the language used in the story is so descriptive that it makes the reader feel that is happening and makes the story seem real. It paints an image in the mind and makes the reader feel as if they are in the story or are being told the story by Brian himself. I think this has been my favorite book we have read so far. It is so descriptive and detailed the reader is pulled into the story and is compelled to continue reading to find out what happens next.
I think that this is a great book for all my students. When I spoke with my brother last week he was surprised that I had never read this book. He has never liked reading and began raving about the story and that he read the rest of the books Paulson wrote because of this book. He remembered tons of details and wanted to tell me about all of his favorite parts. I had never seen him excited to talk about a book. If it can get a person who avoids reading at all costs interested in books then I am all for it. I will keep this book in mind as a suggestion for my students that struggle at getting interested in reading. I liked that Brian remembers that a teacher once told him that his greatest tool is himself and I think it will be interesting to see how this continues to play a role in the story and how he survives. I think this is also something that we are trying to instill in all of our students. They all have different skills and while they may not be the best at everything the skills they have are valuable and make them special.
I thought this book was also very descriptive. I think that like your brother, boys would really enjoy this book. It might take a little more convincing for the girls to read this. If this is something that you think boys would like, I would encourage them to read this and the authors other books.
ReplyDeleteThat's great that your brother was able to engage so deeply with this book! That is why I find it so important to always have available and try to expose students to all different types of books, you never know what each student will connect with!
ReplyDeleteEven as a girl, I really enjoyed reading this in fifth grade. Maybe you could ask students how the plot of the book would change if the protagonist was a girl? Would it change at all? Would it be more interesting to the girls in the class? Would it be less interesting to the boys in the class?
I remember this book interesting nearly every boy in 5th grade class. I think Paulson did a good job capturing the mind of a young boy, like you said, and I bet this is what helps them connect to the book. The part where Brian decides that he is his greatest tool was one of my favorites, too. I think it's a good message for 5th graders to be receiving.
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