Topic > Hatchet - Wilderness Survival Novel written by Gary Paulsen

Hatchet was written by Gary Paulsen. In this novel, thirteen-year-old Brian is flying on a plane when the pilot suddenly has a heart attack and dies. Brian manages to keep the plane level until it crashes into a lake. Brian survives the crash, but that's just the beginning. Brian must find a way to survive in the wilds of the Canadian forest if he ever hopes to be saved. Hatchet is an adventure story that will transform its character from an ordinary city boy to a survivor in just a few days. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get Original EssayBrian Robeson is still reeling from his parents' sudden divorce when his mother drives him to a private airport where he must fly on a forestry plane to visit his father in the Canadian oil fields. Brian's mother gives him a hatchet as a parting gift and asks him to try it on his belt. Because of this, the ax is still on Brian's belt when he boards the plane. As they fly, the pilot shows Brian how to use the controls. Then, suddenly, the pilot becomes ill. It takes Brian a moment to realize that the pilot is having a heart attack. Brian is scared and doesn't know what to do. Brian uses the radio to call for help, but loses signal before he can say much. Brian decides to keep the plane stationary until it runs out of fuel. Then he will try to put it down in a lake. When the time comes, Brian manages to do just that, crashing the plane into the middle of an L-shaped lake. When Brian recovers from the crash, he exits the lake and begins to take inventory of his situation. He finds a place where he can build a shelter and some berries to eat. After a porcupine attack in the middle of the night, Brian discovers how to make a fire and keep the animals away from his shelter. Brian later figures out how to catch fish and even starts killing larger animals, mostly birds. One night a tornado hits the section of forest where Brian survives. The tornado destroys Brian's shelter and also turns the plane over so that the tail section is sticking out of the water. Brian remembers the survival backpack that was in the back of the plane and decides to try to get it. Brian builds a raft and takes it to the plane. Brian peels the metal shell off the plane and cuts a hole big enough for him to enter. Brian is able to retrieve the survival pack and drag it to his shelter. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Inside the survival bag, Brian finds plenty of things such as matches, cooking equipment, and multi-packs of freeze-dried foods. All these elements will be useful to him. Brian also finds a radio, but doesn't understand how it works. So he puts it aside. As Brian is preparing his first real meal in months, he hears an engine overhead. Brian is surprised to find that the radio is an emergency transmitter and has left it on. A trader flying overhead heard the signal and landed to save Brian.