What makes ‘Hatchet’ a book loved by children?

 

             Brian Robeson is a thirteen-year-old boy. As he travels by a plane to visit his father in the oil fields, the pilot suffers a massive heart attack, and dies. Brian tries to land the plane, but ends up crash-landing into a lake in the forest. He must learn to survive on his own, with nothing but his hatchet—a gift his mother gave him shortly before his plane departed.

               Throughout the summer, Brian learns how to survive in the vast wilderness with only his hatchet. He discovers how to make fire with the hatchet, and he eats whatever food he can find. He deals with various threats of nature, including wolves, mosquitoes, and even a tornado. Over time, Brian develops his survival skills and becomes a fine woodsman.

               Later, he finds a transmitter, but not knowing how to use it, he thinks it is damaged and throws it aside. Finally however, he is rescued.

               ‘Hatchet’ is a 1987 Newbery Honour-winning novel written by American author Gary Paulsen. It is the first novel of five in the Hatchet series.

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