Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Copyright: 1986

Publisher: Bradbury Press  

About the book:

Imagine. One minute your gliding through the air on a trip by plane and the next your crashing full force into a lake. You are the only survivor. Meet thirteen year old Brian, and join him on his month-long journey as he fights for his life living off the land in the middle of nowhere. What will he eat? Where will he stay? How will he survive a bear attack, and what will Brian do when a tornado hits? Find out when you read Hatchet by Gary Paulsen.

What is this novel like?

• Survival novel
• 1st in series
• Realistic fiction
• Inspirational

Online Resources to Support Text:

Teacher Resources
Chapter questions (including online versions), story elements, activities, and writing prompts

Key Vocabulary
Vocabulary words

Journaling, Study Guides, and more
Site contains journal prompts, study guides, quotes and explanations, theme/author's purpose


Teaching Suggestions:

1. After reading each chapter, have a whole-class vocabulary discussion where children talk about what they think the definitions of words are. Teacher will facilitate discussion and relate definitions to personal experiences. Children will have an opportunity to relate definitions to their own lives as well.

2. While reading encourage children to keep a journal where they write predictions about what they think will happen next in the story and why.

3. After reading children will write their own mini survival stories.