Age rating and parents' guide:Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen
Ages 12–14
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is best for children aged 12–14. It has mild violence, some scary moments, no romance and no bad language. Worth knowing: Plane crash, survival peril, parents' divorce.
After surviving a fatal plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian finds himself stranded alone in the remote Canadian wilderness. With only the clothes on his back and a hatchet gifted by his mother, he must figure out how to find food, build shelter, and protect himself from wild animals and harsh weather. Along the way, he also grapples with the painful secret behind his parents' divorce. Readers are gripped by the intense survival challenges and Brian's transformation from a helpless city boy to a resourceful survivor.
Content ratings
How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.
- Violence
- Mild
- Scary moments
- Moderate
- Romance
- None
- Bad language
- None
Worth knowing: Plane crash, survival peril, parents' divorce
Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on .
At a glance
- Novel
- Part of the Brian's Saga series
- A steady start that picks up quickly
- Mostly text
- Some emotionally heavy moments
- A good pick for reluctant readers
Great for kids who like
- Action & Adventure
- Nature & outdoors
Reading mood
- Adventurous
- Suspenseful
Good to talk about
- Survival & resilience
- Action & Adventure
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