Teaching the Novel Hatchet: Tips for the Classroom

Teaching the Novel Hatchet can be enjoyable for many classrooms, but some students may struggle to get through the book.

The novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen is a book that is often used for novel studies in many upper elementary or middle school classrooms. It is a book that has a lot going for it and pulls in many students however, the main character is alone for most of the book, which can be a challenge for some readers.

t’s a novel that instantly captivates students with its high-stakes survival plot, but as many of us know, the story’s depth lies far beneath the surface—in the internal conflict, the masterful setting, and the incredible character growth of 13-year-old Brian Robeson.

Read on for some tips to successfully teach the novel Hatchet.

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Teaching the Novel Hatchet: The Premise of Hatchet

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Hatchet is about a 13 year old boy named Brian whose parents have recently divorced. His dad has taken a job in the remote oil fields of norther Canada and Brian is going to visit him for the summer.

Brian is pretty upset with his mom (spoiler alert- she cheated on Brian’s dad and Brian saw her with the guy at the mall!) and he really struggles with these feelings. Really, really, really struggles. . . . The Secret.

So divorced family reasons, Brian finds himself flying in a small plane with just the pilot. Take the time to discuss what a Cessna looks like and why Brian is flying by himself with the pilot. (Some students might struggle with picturing a small plane)

Unfortunately for Brian, the pilot has a lot of digestive issues (AKA the farts) which are symptoms of a heart attack. The pilot suffers a massive heart attack and dies while flying the plane.

Brian crash lands in a remote area of Canada and struggles to survive.

Looking to add some fun to your Hatchet Novel Study Resources? Check out my Hatchet Novel Study Activity Pack!

Brian’s Parent’s Divorce and Custody Agreement

Brian’s parents are recently divorced and they do not have a typical custody agreement for their only child. Brian has stayed in New York with his mom for the remainder of the school year and is going to visit his dad for the entire summer.

He is, understandably, pretty moody toward his mom. Brian’s mom is the one who gives Brian the hatchet prior to flying.

The Secret and All Those Flashbacks

Hatchet is a mentor text in flashback. There are so many flashbacks, specifically toward the time Brian catches his mom with another man.

When teaching this book, make sure the students understand that ‘The Secret’ is code for Brian’s mom cheating.

This is called a secret, because Brian’s dad is unaware of the cheating. Brian’s mom requested the divorce to the dad’s surprise.

Flashbacks can be tricky for readers who do not pay extremely close attention to the text. At one point you might be reading that Brian is flying in the airplane and suddenly he is remembering the time he hung out with his friend at the mall.

Most readers are aware that Brian is thinking of this time while flying in the airplane, but struggling readers might think Brian actually got off the plane and went to the mall in the present timeline.

Scanning the chapter for these signal words that indicate a transition into a flashback would be good material for a mini lesson when doing this novel study.

Brian’s Internal Conflict

Another topic that is great for a mini lesson is Brian’s internal conflict of ‘The Secret.’ Breakdown the difference between internal and external conflict and then discuss the torment Brian feels about knowing that his mom has cheated on his dad, while his dad is unaware.

This internal conflict hits heavy toward the beginning of the book, but then shows up throughout the rest of the novel.

When your class reads chapters 1-3 allude to The Secret and then we learn specifically what Brian saw in Chapter 4. This would be a great time to discuss Internal Conflict.

Deep Dive into Brian Robeson- Teaching Character Development

Brian starts the novel as a frustrated, self-pitying, city-dwelling boy. He is overwhelmed by his parents’ recent divorce, consumed by his knowledge of “The Secret,” and essentially useless in the wild.

In literary terms, Brian is a great example of a Dynamic, Round Character.

Round Character: Brian isn’t just “the survivor.” He is fully developed, displaying a range of emotions and contradictions. He is simultaneously terrified and resilient, resentful of his mother yet desperate for companionship, and prone to self-pity yet capable of immense focus. Students can track this complexity by noting his initial thoughts versus his eventual actions.
Dynamic Character: This is where the magic happens. Brian doesn’t just survive; he completely transforms. Paulsen marks Brian’s journey with physical changes (“Brian’s body was a miracle of hunger and pain and fear…”) and mental shifts. Key moments that highlight this change includes:
- The Porcupine Incident: This teaches him that self-pity and anger are useless—he must learn and adapt. This leads to the discovery of the sparks and the eventual fire.
- The First Fire: This is Brian’s true turning point. He moves from being a passive victim of the crash to an active inventor of his own survival. He becomes “the new Brian.”
- The Return to the Plane/The Survival Pack: The recovery of the survival pack, which initially seems like a blessing, ultimately reinforces that the greatest tool he acquired was his own knowledge and self-reliance. The food tasted bland compared to his own catch.

Teaching Tip: Use a T-Chart to have students track Old Brian vs. New Brian across three categories:

Attitude

Skills

Appearance

This visual representation powerfully illustrates his growth from Static to Dynamic qualities.

Brian’s External Conflict

Keeping track of Brian’s challenges for survival throughout the book is a great way to discuss and evaluate character versus nature in this story.

You can create an anchor chart or have students keep track in their notebooks.

Fly plane without crashing
Survive a plane crash
Challenge to make fire & temperature
Eat Food that Won’t Kill You- turtle eggs, berries, etc.
Survive Challenges of Nature- mosquitos, porcupine, skunk, moose etc.

One area to discuss in this book is the idea of the protagonist and antagonist. The protagonist is the main character, Brian. Students in fifth grade struggle to identify what the antagonist is when it is not a ‘bad guy.’ Take time to discuss that the antagonist is the character or force that causes conflict for the protagonist. So in the novel Hatchet the antagonist would be nature and all of its dangers.

The Environment as the Antagonist and Visualizing the Setting

In Hatchet, the setting is the Antagonist (Man versus Nature) and the ultimate test of Brian’s character. Paulsen’s writing is highly descriptive, helping readers visualize the two major settings- the suffocating airplane and the boundless wilderness.

The Claustrophobic Cockpit

The initial setting is defined by Brian’s anxiety and the physical limitations of the small plane. The descriptions here are critical for establishing the inciting incident and Brian’s immediate trauma:

“The plane was a tiny thing, a Cessna 406—a bush plane, a six-passenger, and the pilot sat on the right.”
This simple description contrasts sharply with the vastness of the wilderness, emphasizing Brian’s isolation and the sudden, terrifying shift from civilization to danger when the pilot dies. Paulsen uses sensory details like the “shuddering” of the plane and the sound of the engine before it “growled, coughed, and died” to build tension.

The Vast Canadian Wilderness

Once Brian is on the ground, the setting becomes a living, breathing entity. Paulsen uses vivid, sensory language to establish the beauty and the danger of the setting:

“The lake water was so clear he could see down to the rocks on the bottom. In the morning, with the sun out, the water turned into a sheet of silver glass.”
The lake is Brian’s lifeline, providing fish and water. The shelter in the overhang is a place of refuge. However, the setting is also ruthless- the skunk raid, the porcupine attack, and the moose charge all remind the reader (and Brian) that nature is not very considerate or thoughtful of your feelings.

Teaching the Novel Hatchet: Rising Action & Story Structure

Hatchet is an interesting novel to pace out on a plot diagram. The inciting incident, the plane crash, is, to me, the most exciting part of this story. Brian survives a plane crash!

The challenge is that we teach students that the climax of a story is the most exciting part. Have a discussion with your students about the challenges of exciting parts of the story and to not be such a literal interpreter of the climax being the most exciting part.

When I read about Brian’s eventual rescue, it did not feel like a true climax of a traditional plot.

To me Hatchet consists of a bunch of interesting events that are part of the rising action and then Brian is suddenly being rescued and we arrive at the resolution.

Teaching the Novel Hatchet: Discussion- Did the Students Like the Book?

I like to wrap up Hatchet by having students vote with their bodies. Students who liked the book go to one side of the room and students who did not like the book go to the other. I then have the students discuss their feelings with the other people in that group, then we come back together to discuss why people did or did not like the book.

Why do some people not like the book Hatchet?

Hatchet is a fun book to teach. There is a lot of material to discuss and dive into, which makes it enjoyable as an adult.

Some students do not like Hatchet though. If I was forced to read Hatchet as a kid I know I would not like the book at all.

Why?

Brian is by himself for 98% of this book.

I like a story with characters and conversations. I like reading dialogue. I do not like reading pages and pages of thoughts and descriptions.

If a student reads this book and says they did not like it, please honor their feelings.

These feelings can lead into a great conversation about when to ditch a book. We talk about how when we are at school there are some books we may be forced to read, but to read a book for fun it’s okay to ditch a book if it doesn’t catch your attention.

When to give up on a book

My goal is to build life-long readers.

To build life-long readers, we need to know when to toss aside books that just don’t hold our attention. My rule of thumb is that if I am not captivated by about 10% of the book, I am going to pass on the book. My students know how to figure out 10%, so it should be a skill they can develop.

We have a conversation about the concerns that arise if every book is being passed on. It’s kind of like Goldilocks, there is a just right amount of book skipping that you can do for books that you are reading for fun.

What should students read next? The Book Wrangler has an amazing visual menu of of book recommendations for many popular books, including Hatchet. Check out his menu here.

Another book that I pair with Hatchet is a shorter, easier book by Gary Paulsen, Danger on Midnight River. It has all of the same survival elements, with more than one character. It is a great read for students who like Hatchet.

Book Recommendations When Finished with the Novel Hatchet

After finishing Hatchet, students who enjoyed the book are often looking for more tales of survival and internal struggle

Here are a few novels that mirror the themes of survival and Brian’s internal conflict over his parents’ divorce, perfect for upper elementary and middle school readers:

Survival and Wilderness Adventure (External Conflict Focus)

These books focus heavily on Character vs. Nature, similar to the majority of Hatchet‘s plot:

Stranded by Nikki Shannon Smith– Ava’s peaceful stay in the Adirondack Mountains turns dangerous when an early winter storm leaves her alone, stranded, and without a working cabin. She must rely on her courage and survival skills to make it through the harsh wilderness on her own. A modern My side of the Mountain.
When Giants Burn by Beth Vrabel– Two friends survive a dangerous plane crash in the wilderness and must depend on their skills, quick thinking, and each other to stay alive. As they face fire, fear, and the harsh outdoors, they discover the true value of the people and responsibilities they tried to escape.
Alone by Megan Freeman– After a secret sleepover goes wrong, twelve-year-old Maddie wakes to find her entire town abandoned, leaving her completely on her own. With no power, no communication, and danger all around, she must rely on her resourcefulness and courage to survive—while battling the overwhelming loneliness of being the last one left.
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown — A different twist type of survival novel, when a robot named Roz washes up on a deserted island, she must learn to survive by observing and befriending the animals around her. Chapters are short, and although there are some intense moments, many readers — even younger ones — enjoy this unusual survival story.
Shipwreck Island by Kirby Heyborn– When a family sailing trip ends in a shipwreck, Sarah and her new stepbrothers must work together to survive on a deserted island. As they face danger, fear, and the unknown, Sarah discovers strength and resilience she didn’t know she had—and learns that survival sometimes begins with learning to trust the people around you.
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell: A historical fiction novel about a young girl stranded alone on an island off the California coast. Excellent for discussing the role of isolation and survival. (Currently available on Kindle Unlimited)
Danger on Midnight River by Gary Paulsen: This is a great, slightly easier step-down with similar themes but more dialogue, as the characters are not alone. Daniel finds himself in a situation similar to Brian, for only a few days. One of my favorite short, quick action adventure reads to share with students.
The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman — Instead of wilderness, this is survival on urban streets- two young sisters run away from an abusive home and end up homeless in a bustling city, eventually teaming up with two boys and a stray dog for shelter, food, and hope. The story tackles issues like poverty, resilience, and chosen family. It’s an emotionally mature novel — good for readers ready for realistic life-challenges.
Lost in the River of Grass by Ginny Rorby– (Check for Age Appropriate Fit- this one has a wide range) When a risky detour on a field trip leaves Sarah and a classmate stranded in the Everglades, their adventure quickly turns into a fight for survival. To make it out of the swampland alive, they must rely on their instincts, courage, and each other as they face dangerous conditions and an unforgiving wilderness.
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare — A story of a boy, Matt, who is left alone to guard his family’s wilderness home in rural Maine. He must learn survival skills, and eventually befriends a Native American boy, Attean, who teaches him much about living off the land. Themes include friendship, respect, and survival while working together. (Currently available on Kindle Unlimited)
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park— Based on the real story of a Sudanese “Lost Boy,” this book follows his journey fleeing civil war and traveling hundreds of miles to safety, intertwined with a second narrative about a girl collecting water daily for her village. It shows not only physical survival but also perseverance, hope, and eventual healing. (Currently available on Kindle Unlimited)
Paradise on Fire by Jewell Parker Rhodes — A more contemporary survival-adventure: a Black teen from the city goes to a wilderness camp and ends up facing a wildfire. She must draw on survival skills — and courage — to navigate danger, confront trauma, and find inner strength. Good for readers who want survival stories with modern issues (climate, identity, trauma).
Lost in Shangri‑La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II— A gripping real-life survival and rescue story: a WWII plane crashes into remote jungle mountains in New Guinea, and a few survivors face extreme danger while awaiting a rescue.
I Survived True Stories: Five Epic Disasters — A collection of real-life survival stories from history’s biggest disasters. These books are great for kids who want variety and a simple structure— one night you read about a shipwreck, another a wildfire or a plane crash, all true events with heroic survival.
Survivor Kid: A Practical Guide to Wilderness Survival — Written by an experienced outdoorsman, this guide is full of realistic advice — how to build shelters and fires, find water and food, signal for help, avoid dangers, and stay safe.
The Official National Geographic Kids Survival Guide — A kid-friendly, trustworthy go-to book for wilderness emergencies or planning an outdoor adventure. Packed with practical tips but still geared to kids.
Bushcraft Kid: Survive in the Wild and Have Fun Doing It! — A fun introduction to “bushcraft” (living in the wild): building shelters, foraging, navigation, and more. Great for readers who are interested in “What would I do if I got lost on a hike?” scenarios.

Internal Conflict, Divorce, and Family Struggle (Internal Conflict Focus)

These books tap into the emotional themes of loss, family change, and internal turmoil that “The Secret” represents for Brian:

The River by Gary Paulsen– Brian faces PTSD-like flashbacks, pressure, and identity conflict when returning to the wilderness after being rescued. He struggles with how survival changed him inside.
How to Stay Invisible by Maggie Rudd– Raymond secretly lives in a hollow tree near his school, but when surviving in the woods becomes harder, he must use his skills and learn to trust others to stay safe.
Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan– A gifted but socially-isolated girl loses her parents and must navigate grief, found-family change, and emotional overwhelm.
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt– A girl with dyslexia hides her struggle for years, battling shame and self-worth internally before finding healing.