Middle-grade novel · Fiction
Hatchet
Gary Paulsen
About the book
After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian must survive alone in the Canadian wilderness with only a hatchet.
Reading notes
Gripping survival story; includes a plane crash and the pilot's death, and the parents' divorce and a family secret that troubles Brian.
This description was drafted with AI assistance and checked by a separate AI review against catalog, publisher and award sources on 2026-11-11. It has not been reviewed by a human editor. Report an error.
Recognition
- Newbery Honor (1988)
Recognition is listed from the awarding bodies’ published records. How we verify awards.
Book details
- Author
- Gary Paulsen
- First published
- 1987
- Suggested ages
- Ages 10–14 (editorial estimate — children vary)
- Reading mode
- Independent reader
- Topics
- survival, adventure
- Edition shown
- ISBN 9781481486293 · Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Oct 03, 2017 · paperback
- Catalog record
- Open Library work record · edition record
Metadata verified against Open Library on 2026-11-11. Other editions and formats exist; ISBNs differ by edition.
Not independently confirmed by our AI review: the suggested age range against a publisher range. Treat these details with caution.
Featured in
Age guide
Books for Ages 9 to 12: A Guide to Middle Grade Reading
What middle grade means, the wide range of maturity within it, graphic and verse novels as real reading, heavier themes, and why read-aloud still matters.