Hatchet (Gary Paulsen) as discussed by Lindsay Cummings
Some of us read in school. Some of us hate it. Some of us love it.
Some of us, like me, can remember the very first time a book reached into their soul and grabbed a hold of them.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
YA is magical. It is real, because to teens, the world is a horrifying and beautiful place all at once. YA is what takes us from our experiences in the scariest years of our lives, when we don’t even know who we are, when we don’t even know what we will become or where we will be in the future, and throws us into a time and place where anything is possible. YA gives readers hope. It gives readers excitement. When you’re a teen, everything matters. Everything is the best day and the worst day all at once. The tiniest of choices can affect you for the rest of your life.
About Lindsay Cummings
Filed under: Gary Paulsen, Hatchet, Lindsay Cummings, The Murder Complex, Why YA?

About Karen Jensen, MLS
Karen Jensen has been a Teen Services Librarian for almost 30 years. She created TLT in 2011 and is the co-editor of The Whole Library Handbook: Teen Services with Heather Booth (ALA Editions, 2014).
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
SLJ Blog Network
Name That LEGO Book Cover! (#44)
Ellen Myrick Publisher Preview: Fall 2023/Winter 2024 (Part Six – Diamond, Eye of Newt, & Floris Books)
Squire & Knight | Review
Top 25 Titles at My School: Graphic Novels and Mauds Reign Supreme!
The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving
ADVERTISEMENT
Hatchet is such a classic. I got sucked into it too – and it led me to other books on survival. The lure of the north never left me, which is why I live in Alaska now! 😉
What a great piece! I couldn't agree more!
I completely agree with everything said. There is something magical about YA. And I am proud to admit at almost 30 I still prefer to real YA! Can't wait for your book to come out!
One of my favorite people right here. <3 Wolves of Willoughby Chase did this for me.
The joy of escape is something that has continued me reading and now writing YA. Thanks for sharing your spark Lindsay. Looking forward to your book.
Hatchet is one of the first books I remember that really grabbed me.
YA is magical, and I don't think I'll ever stop reading it, or being excited about it.
Hatchet is one of the first books I can remember that grabbed at me. My copy is almost worn out.
YA is magical. It's a genre I'll never stop reading, or being excited about.
I loved HATCHET! Lovely inspiring words, Lindsay. 🙂
Hatchet is an amazing book that tells about 13 year old Brian Robeson's struggle with survival and conscience when his plane crashes in the middle of the Canadian woods. He has firsts,sacrifices, and painful experiences, but soon evolves and matures.He is not completely cut off from other people though, as he has flashbacks and dreams of his family and best friend who help give him hints, but constantly remind him of the secret that split his family apart. After reading Hatchet you will never fully think the same way ever again. It's an amazing book that i loved.YOU HAVE TO READ IT!