Plot:
The story revolves around Brian who is 13 years old. He is flying over the Canadian wilderness when the pilot of the small plane dies of a heart attack and Brian somehow manages to guide the plane into a crash landing which he survives. Now hundreds of miles off course and no civilization evident he must find the will and the means to live. The book takes its name from the only tool Brian has, a hatchet his mother gifted him just before he left. Immediately Brian is confronted with providing food and shelter for himself without ever having had survival training. Each day presents incredible challenges and a few near death experiences. The story covers the 54 days Brian survives and the life changing experience he encounters before winter sets in.
Review/Personal thoughts:
I was captivated by this story. In addition to the excellent turns of events that kept me interested in Brian’s survival, there is another story revealed through Brian’s thoughts which reveal a “secret’, that only he carried, which involved his mother’s involvement with another man that eventually leads to the divorce of his parents. The book is well-written, capture’s the reader’s interest and explores the themes of survival and divorce. I would definitely recommend this book and I think it will appeal more to boys than girls.
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: 6.0 Interest level: Ages 11 and up
Awards:
Newberry Honor Book, 1988
ALA Notable Children’s Book
ALA Best of the Best for Young Adults
"Booklist" Editors' Choice
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