ALONE Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father when the single-engine plane in which he is flying crashes. Suddenly, Brian finds himself alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a tattered Windbreaker and the hatchet his mother gave him as a present—and the dreadful secret that has been tearing him apart since his parents’ divorce. But now Brian has no time for anger, self-pity, or despair—it will take all his know-how and determination, and more courage than he knew he possessed, to survive. “In a straightforward and compelling narration, Peter Coyote captures Brian's terror, anguish and exultation as he learns to survive alone in the wilderness.”–AudioFile
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"I gave this book 4 stars because it was a good book overall. It was sad when the plane crashed down because he could have died. He is very lucky that his fathergave him a hatchet because if he didn't I dont think he would ahve made it living out there in the wilderness by him self. I know I would not have made it by myself out in the wilderness."
— Alek (4 out of 5 stars)
" I listen to this book for about 15 minutes with my 11 year old son every night before bed. He was so into it that he wanted to keep listening every night. "
— its_bill3@yahoo.com, 4/29/2020" The Hatchet is a heart-pounding story about a young boy who survives a plane crash and is marooned in the wilderness with only a hatchet. Its an unlikely scenario, but my two teen boys liked the book, and I did, too. It was the perfect book for a 3-hour trip. The narrator does a good job, too. "
— Julie, 10/31/2018" I really felt connected to Brian. This story has been woven in a wonderful way and I really enjoyed how Gary Paulson tells the story. The woods have always been significant in my life and I feel connected to Brian in that way! "
— KRGV, 12/1/2017" I love Peter Coyote as narrator! Great book! Will check out Winter at some point. "
— Thomas, 5/30/2016" Loved his book. I felt really connected to the main character, and the story-telling is excellent. "
— Sam, 2/18/2014" I thought that Hatchet was okay. Let's put it this way, it was not my favorite book. I am not really a wilderness type person. For some reason I could never get into it. I found that Hatchet dragged. I felt like it kept repeating itself. I liked it towards the end. My favorite part was when he was rescued. "
— Andrew, 2/17/2014" this is so cool "
— nicholas, 2/12/2014" Awesome book! This book shows how a kid can dig deep and do what has to be done to survive if need be. "
— Dylan, 1/17/2014" My favorite book from when I was younger, still read it every once in a while. An easy read about a boy who crash lands in the Canadian wilderness with only a hatchet. It's a story of how he survives and how he comes to terms with his parents divorce. "
— Jaqueline, 1/16/2014" This is a great book I read last weekend while my son was reading it for school and had it at the house . I had heard good things about it and remembered my older son had enjoyed it also. I was impressed the author tried all the things Brian did while in the wilderness. "
— Amy, 1/3/2014" Interesting storyline, surprised it's rated so highly...it's a bit bland. "
— Kirstie, 10/20/2013" I thought this was a great (and for an adult quick) read that most middle school boys would enjoy. "
— Ron, 10/16/2013" It was a good book for a low reading level though "
— Nebil, 9/19/2013" Survivor stories are not usually my thing, but I appreciated the inter-weaving of Brian's obvious maturity through the course of his struggle. I could see boys really liking this read - especially the disgusting parts. "
— Deserie, 9/10/2013" Very very good. I give it five stars. "
— Kearstin, 4/10/2013" What teachers don't understand is that even if a book has a medal, DOESN'T MEAN IT'S INTERESTING. I absolutely love reading and I read daily, but this was so boring and predictable!!! I wish we could pick our own books to read for school. "
— Meg, 2/19/2013" A quick read. Believable. Looking forward to reading Brian's Winter "
— Lorraine, 6/14/2012" This was a quick read for me. Compelling story, beautiful descriptions of the Canadian landscape and just-right depictions of the character's emotions. "
— Phyllis, 6/4/2012" This was probably my absolute favorite book growing up. "
— Jason, 2/16/2012" Just started reading this with the boys before bedtime. Was very excited to share this with them. It was on a must-read list for boys. It's about survival and so far right up Andrew's reading alley :0) "
— Teresa, 2/4/2012" I read this book for an assignment in 6th grade and recently we listened to it as a family. It's a great story of survival and perseverance. "
— Ashli, 2/1/2012" Hatchet is a endless classic ,i love reading this book. I like how he was a city boy knowing nothing becoming a surveyor knowing everything. The only thing he had with him the whole time was the hatchet, that is how he made it though the whole thing. I also like when he fights with the moose. "
— Bradon, 9/20/2011" Good read! There is not much for plot but it is a good story. "
— Miss, 6/17/2011" Slow start, and I had to get used to Paulsen's style (which got on my nerves at first) but ultimately a good story. "
— Sherry, 6/5/2011" it was an amazing book! i read it in 5th grade everyday for about 2 weeks and it was actually one of the books that i actually read considering i dont like to read "
— Seaira, 5/23/2011" One of the few books I actually read in high school that I was supposed to "
— Kierstin, 5/23/2011" I really related to brian on some things like his parrents getting divorced and being lost in a strange place where noone could help me so i give this book two thumbs up! "
— Aaron1, 5/23/2011" I think this book is very cool. "
— Zach, 5/23/2011" it is a good book! <br/> "
— Treyr, 5/23/2011" This depressing hunting book called 'Hatchet' "
— Isaic, 5/23/2011" The book im reading is called Hatchet. I think its the best book I have ever read. "
— Walter, 5/23/2011" This book was ok but could have been better. "
— Connery, 5/23/2011" it is a good adventure book "
— Caleb, 5/23/2011" It is not really my type of book "
— Gina, 5/21/2011" This book is awesome. "
— Dawn, 5/20/2011" This book was quick, compelling, and an amazing story of a real boy who survived the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash. I loved it! "
— Heather, 5/19/2011" Meet a boy named Brian, he has divorced parents and on his way on a small plane to his dad's place in Canda when, the piolet dies and the plane crashes. Now he will have to surivive in the Candain winderniss. <br/>Will he???? Read this book to find out! "
— Thomas, 5/19/2011Gary Paulsen Gary Paulsen is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor Books: The Winter Room, Hatchet, and Dogsong. He won the Margaret A. Edwards Award given by the ALA for his lifetime achievement in young adult literature. He divides his time between his home in Alaska, his ranch in New Mexico, and his sailboat on the Pacific Ocean