Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen
A 13-year-old boy named Brian survives alone in the Canadian wilderness for 54 days after a plane crash, armed only with a hatchet his mother gave him. The story follows his psychological and physical transformation as he learns essential survival skills like making fire, finding food, and building shelter. Brian grapples with his parents' recent divorce and discovers inner strength and resilience he never knew he possessed. This classic survival tale explores themes of self-reliance, coming-of-age, and the relationship between humans and nature.
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