Josh #703 A Journey of a Lifetime The book, Hatchet, is one of Gary Paulsens best books, winning a Newbery award.

This book is about how Brian Robeson survives in the Canadian wilderness alone for fifty-four days. Brian begins his journey at the Hampton airport in New York. He is on his way to visit his father for the first time since his parents divorce, when the pilot of the CESSNA 406 bush plane he is riding in has a major heart attack. Brian is forced to take over, when he crashes in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, with no supplies, but the hatchet that his mom gave him. Brian encounters many obstacles in this story, most of which he overcomes. Brians story shows that he is a person who is changed forever. In the beginning, the story gets very exciting when Brian hears a rustling sound in his sleep, and immediately reacts by throwing his hatchet at the source of the sound. As he stares at where the hatchet goes, he sees it brush along his shelter wall, and sees sparks come on his leg. If that wasnt painful enough, he now feels many painful pricks on his leg. He then realizes that the sound is a porcupine, and that its needles got injected into his leg, and he immediately feels immense pain. Although he feels the terrible pain, he recalls the sparks from the hatchet, and understands that he can make a fire using the sparks of the hatchet on wood. After many attempts, he finally succeeds in making a fire. Sadly, during the middle of the story, when Brian catches a bird that he calls, A Foolbird, he is suddenly attacked by a moose, and thrown into a lake. He quickly tries to get out, but the moose just charges again, more furiously then before. Brian then scans his

surroundings, searching for a way to elude the moose. His luck begins to change, when he tries to slowly move out of the lake. When the moose looks back, Brian freezes, and the moose looks away, and leaves. At the end of the story, when Brian is sound asleep, he hears a rough sound, and is suddenly thrown into a lake by a strong wind. He realizes its a tornado. When he glances back at his shelter, he sees that all of the sand walls are destroyed. His supplies are all gone, leaving only his hatchet. Brian realizes that he has relived the crash all over again, except the fact that he is now optimistic and experienced. In conclusion, Brians story shows that he is a person who is changed forever. From the plane crash, to fire making, to the moose attack, and through the tornado, Brian has improved in his thinking strategy, patience, and has learned to trust in his instincts. His realization that he has to depend on himself gives him courage when he feels lonely. Brians English teacher once told him, You are your most valuable asset. Dont forget that. You are the best thing you have.