Brian's Winter

All of elementary school I was convinced Hatchet by Gary Paulsen was a "boys book". I've never had strict gender role delusions, but it still didn't seem like it would be interesting to a girl. Last summer I finally picked it up and discovered a vastly complex novel aimed at middle readers and young adults but with some very grown-up themes. Brian Robeson is in a horrific plane crash that leaves him stranded and alone in the Canadian wilderness. Brian must call upon strength he didn't realize he had to try to survive the summer. Hatchet was so popular that Paulsen wrote several other companion books to tell more of Brian's story, one of which is Brian's Winter, one of my choices for the Young Adult Reading Challenge.

Brian's Winter takes on the premise of, "What is Brian isn't/wasn't rescued and had to survive a winter in the Canadian wilderness?" It's a short read (for an adult). Pretty graphic too... but really, what vegetarian doesn't want to read the details of killing, skinning, chopping, cooking, and eating wild animals? Along with collecting firewood, the book is consumed with Brian's hunting pursuits. But, I suppose when you're in survival mode, there's not much else to do.

Recommendation: If you liked Hatchet and had any lingering thoughts about Brian, Brian's Winter will give you plenty more to think about.