Hatchet

Paulsen, G. (1987). Hatchet. New York: Bradbury Press.

What is realistic fiction? Realistic fiction is a story of events that could really happen to people or animals. I think this book also falls into the category of situational realism, as the events of the story could happen given the situation (the crash).

Hatchet is a Newbery Honor book and is of the realistic fiction genre. The plot here is of adventure and survival. Brian, the protagonist, will have to rely on will and ingenuity to survive. The conflict is predominantly of person versus nature type. However, Brian also deals with emotional turmoil in an alternative family scenario. This type of conflict is classified as a problem novel approach.

Hatchet depicts a thirteen year old boy faced with tremendous adversity. The events are very realistic and the reactions of Brian are true to the characteristics of a vulnerable, yet, brave young boy.

Brian is just a normal kid of 13 years old. However, his life has recently gone from normal to terrible as his parents have just divorced. He is bitter about the changes in his family, and toward his mother. He knows her secret! Now that his father has moved away, Brian must travel to spend the summer with him. He boards a small plane alone for his trip and even gets a chance to act as co-pilot! During the flight, something happens that changes Brian forever. He is forced to learn about survival, being positive, and awareness (in the moment).

Real-life/text-to-self-connection: Have you ever been faced with adversity? How did you handle it? Did you draw strength from someone or something in your life? Who or what?

Classroom purpose: Compare and contrast Hatchet with Robinson Crusoe with a Venn diagram.