Matthew's Reviews > Hatchet

Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
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really liked it
bookshelves: 2022, young-adult, audio, library, suspense, coming-of-age, classic

Hatchet is a Young Adult classic and award winner that I have heard a lot about over the years and have always wanted to read. I love it when I am searching for an audiobook and books like this pop up as available. I think, “Ah ha! I can finally get to this one!”

It did not take me long to get through Hatchet during my daily lunchtime walks. It held my interest throughout, but probably wasn’t even long enough to lose it! It is definitely geared toward pre and early teens – however, there are a couple of more difficult topics (like death and survival) that this might be a kids first introduction to (unless they are like me and started reading Stephen King at 12!) If my kids decide to try this one out, I will be there for them if they have any questions about it.

Should you read this book? It is not bad for a quick read, but it may prove to be too simple for some peoples’ tastes. If you can adjust your mindset and think of it like a 10- to 13-year-old would, I think you will appreciate it more. Luckily, as I mentioned it is not very long, you are not committing too much of your time if it ends up not being your cup of tea.
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Reading Progress

April 1, 2022 – Started Reading
April 1, 2022 – Shelved
April 1, 2022 – Shelved as: 2022
April 1, 2022 – Shelved as: young-adult
April 1, 2022 – Shelved as: audio
April 1, 2022 – Shelved as: library
April 2, 2022 –
0% "Survival"
April 3, 2022 – Finished Reading
April 8, 2022 – Shelved as: suspense
April 8, 2022 – Shelved as: coming-of-age
April 8, 2022 – Shelved as: classic

Comments Showing 1-2 of 2 (2 new)

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message 1: by Ted (new)

Ted Barringer Like you, I read this book as an adult. Back in the day, my 12 year old son read it and loved it. He followed up with several other Gary Paulson stories. I picked it up a few years ago so I could recommend it to my 6th and 7th grade students. Try as I might, kids simply do not read, other than what is assigned, and that, even rarely. (ELA teacher for 3 years as a second career)


Matthew Ted wrote: "Like you, I read this book as an adult. Back in the day, my 12 year old son read it and loved it. He followed up with several other Gary Paulson stories. I picked it up a few years ago so I could r..."

My wife is a teacher and recently recommended this to her students when they were looking for books to read for book reports. I am happy to report that one student picked it and loved it! :)


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