HATCHET BY GARY PAULSEN BOOK COVER PREVIEWING Look

HATCHET BY GARY PAULSEN

BOOK COVER PREVIEWING • Look at the front cover – what are the background colors and images? What other images appear on the cover? • What are some things the boy might use the hatchet for? • What animal is pictured? What do you think happens when that animal appears in the story? • Do you know what the silver circle showing the three people means? • Given the clues from the book cover, jot down some more specifics predicting what you think will happen in the story.

WHAT IS A NEWBERY HONOR BOOK? The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. One purpose of the Newbery Medal was stated as follows: "To encourage original creative work in the field of books for children. ” It is the first children’s book award in the world, and is still recognized as the most discussed book award in this country.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR • Name: Gary Paulsen • Born: May 17, 1939 in Minneapolis, Minnesota • In 1985 he started focusing on writing 18 -20 hours a day • He has written more than 175 books and some 200 articles and short stories • Newbery Honor Books : Hatchet, Dogsong, and The Winter Room

HATCHET A book about • Survival • Nature • Life

CHARACTERS • Brian Robeson: The main character, 13 years old. On the way to visit his father in the Canadian Oil Fields. • Brian’s mother: Recently divorced from Brian’s father. She gave Brian the hatchet as a gift before he left to go see his father for the summer. • Brian’s father: Lives in the Canadian Oil Fields. He is awaiting Brian’s visit for the summer. • The Pilot: Taking Brian to see his father in a small twin engine plane. • Terry: Brian’s good friend from New York.

CESSNA 406

SETTING OF HATCHET 1980’s Hampton, New York: Where Brian meets the plane that will take him to visit his father. The Canadian wilderness: Where Brian’s plane crashes, and he learns to survive.

PLOT OF HATCHET • Brian, a boy of 13, survives a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness while on the way to visit his father, who is newly divorced from his mother. Brian is terribly unhappy about the divorce. • With only a hatchet his mother gave him a as gift before the trip and the clothes on his back, Brian has to figure out how to survive while he battles the elements of nature: weather, wildlife and all the challenges that come with it. • Brian changes and grows as a person as a result of this experience. Will he survive? Will he be rescued? Read the book to find out! Book Trailer

WOULD YOU SURVIVE? ? • #1 - If you were stranded on a deserted island, list at least 5 items you would need to survive. (Has to be items that could fit into your pocket or that you could easily carry) • #2 - Explain the first thing (literally) you would do upon being stranded on this deserted island. Keep in mind you are completely alone. • #3 - Brainstorm adjectives – describe how you feel after being stranded on this deserted island.

• Find a partner. Discuss #1: Survival Items. With your partner, decide on the three most important things you think you would need. • Combine with another group. With your group of 4, discuss #2. As a group, decide on the top two things that you think would be most important to do immediately upon arriving on the deserted island.

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