Growing up in a household with two hyper-aggressive older brothers, a very primal instinct surfaced at a youthful age. Survival. I believe that is why Gary Paulsen's Hatchet seemed to strike such a powerful impression. The story which describes the trials and tribulations of Brian, a young man who gets put into the extraordinary situation of having to survive in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a hatchet, through no fault of his own. This classic tale depicts the all too familiar told struggle between man vs. nature. But where the story stands alone is how Brian learns that in order to survive he must not fight nature, but become one with it. Upon that realization, Brian soon discovers that he is capable of incredible feats that he would never believe he could achieve before this ordeal. I would highly recommend this story to any higher level readers at the upper elementary levels that are seeking the thrill of a lifetime.
