Gary Paulsen books

[dwbakerjr]

Apparently, "The Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen is a very common book for reading lists of middle school students (a story of Brian Robeson's survival after a plane crash in remote northern Canada). Since my boy read it, I thought I'd give it a try, and WOW, I was impressed with the story of self-dependence, innovation and just plain guts, in an impossible situation.

I've read several others (Brian's Winter (very good as well), Brian's Hunt (not so good, i thot)), and am now reading The Island (which is a different kind of book from the Brian 'adventures').

Anybody else have any strong feelings about Paulsen? Never heard of the guy until about 7-8 weeks ago.

 

[CindyCan]

My DD12 read The Hatchet this year in grade 6. She loved it & had to read the rest of the series. I usually try to read what my kids are reading, but didn't get around to this one. Maybe I should!

 

[dwbakerjr]

Just a little snippet, Cindy, if you are interested. The Hatchest was so popular (the publisher reported 200-400 letters per DAY), that the first sequel (Brians Winter) was about what would have happened if Brian hadn't gotten out, and had to face a northern Canada winter, all on his own.

Good stuff. I hope you get the chance to read (or listen to Peter Coyote's audio version).


hakuna matata...

 

[lewdyan1]

If you get a chance Dogsong is really good also!

 

[DVCLiz]

I loved Gary Paulsen when I was a children's librarian - finally, some books BOYS would read!!!!

Although I loved Hatchet, my personal favorite is Harris and Me. There's one scene in particular that had me laughing out loud so hard that other people in the library from down the hall came to see what was the matter. It has to do with boys and electric fences, that's all I'll say!!!

Paulesen is a pretty diverse author, so there are different styles to his books - they aren't all the same "lost in the wilderness" adventure story. I think he's terrific!!

 

[Buckalew11]

I read NightJohn and the follow-up to that (something with Sarnie in the title). Good story on the realities of slavery (short, easy to read except the concept the stories of slavery were very hard to read about).
DD likes to read Paulsen (she's 12).

 

[LindaR]

I'm Gary's assistant. He's written over 200 books and they cover so many diverse subjects. He writes humorous stories, sci-fi stories, westerns, adventure................wow.

When I started working for him, he told me that I'd need to read all the books he's written (one at a time, of course) so that I would be familiar with the storyline when a fan or publisher or whoever made inquiries. I thought it would be a "chore"...........boy was I wrong.

There's a reason he is so popular.............pure talent.

 

[CheshireVal]

I used to be a middle school librarian/media specialist, and Paulsen was always very popular. It was nice to have something to recommend to reluctant boy readers.... once they tried Hatchet, they'd usually come ask me for more recommendations.

 

[tar heel]

LindaR -- What a cool job.

My boys (including DH) LOVED/LOVE Paulsen's books. We've got a bunch of them, but I had no idea he had written over 200. My 12-year-old's sixth grade class did a unit on the iditarod that included his journal.

Hatchet has also been made into a movie, which my boys enjoyed.

 

[harleyquinn]

Current children's librarian here! I also can always count on Gary. I LOVE Harris and Me...great stuff.

Girls actually like the book too, though not so much with the sequels.

Depending on reading level I usually push the Bunnicula series and Where the Red Fern Grows with equal success as Hatchet.

Gary has written a LOT of books, many of which are out of print (Amos and me series, I think).

 

[Christine]

If you get a chance Dogsong is really good also!

I just have to chime in with a dissenting opinion. My son is entering 6th grade and one of his summer reading books is Dogsong. He kept telling me that the book was boring, he hated it, couldn't get through it, etc. I told him to buck up and quit being lazy. Then I picked up the book and read it. OMG, I thought it was terrible. The style of writing is just strange. Now, I am an AVID reader. I read anything and rarely *dislike* ANY book. This thing was a snooze. Just the sentence structure and the narration were tough.

 

[dwbakerjr]

LindaR -- What a cool job.

My boys (including DH) LOVED/LOVE Paulsen's books. We've got a bunch of them, but I had no idea he had written over 200. My 12-year-old's sixth grade class did a unit on the iditarod that included his journal.

Hatchet has also been made into a movie, which my boys enjoyed.

....Hatchet is movie..??. Did it make it to Blockbuster/Hollywood type places ..??.. (might be worth a look)..

DB.

 

[teacherforhi]

I read Hatchet every year to my class and often follow it up with Brian's Winter. This year I won't have any new students (that I know of), but they had already asked at the end of last year if we could read it again.

 

[dwbakerjr]

OK... found it...

Got a C+ rating (lukewarm)... low budget movie, I think. Review suggested you have to read the book first to get a lot out of the movie...

And get this; because they didnt want it confused with the chop-em-up Jason type movies, they changed the title to:

A CRY IN THE WILD

???

huh? where'd they get that name..?

anyhow, blockbuster on the way home tonite.

 

[LindaR]

Just because Gary wrote the book, does not mean that he writes the screenplay for a movie. Also another recent movie was made by Disney that was "based" upon one of Gary's books. Anyone remember Snow Dogs? Hello, that was really nothing like the book it was supposed to be based on! I have never been able to watch more than 20-25 minutes of the movie because I know too much about the behind the scenes process and, in this case, cannot seperate what was supposed to be from what it is!


Several years ago (back when there were movies in the Disney channel), Disney did a movie called "Nightjohn" and it very closely followed Gary's book by the same name.

For the poster who didn't like Dogsong, try a different book of Gary's and you will find a different story, different style of writing, and you will think it's written by a different person.

 

[challada]

Linda, can I ask what the job of "assistant" means for a writer? Do you book appearances, answer fan mail, write books, or balance the checkbook??? I think it would be a cool spot to be in w/the right person.


Also, OP, if you like Paulsen's books, you would probably enjoy Ben Mikelson's book as well...he tends to write about kids making their way thru difficult situations. His most popular is "Touching Spirit Bear" which is about a troubled boy sentenced to a tribal island to survive and learn life lessons. My favorite of his is "Petey" which is a true story of a CP young man who was institutionalized in mental facilities. I had the pleasure of hosting Ben on an author tour through our town and he's a neat guy (and has a real bear of his own!).

 

[LindaR]

Actually Challada, I do everything! I manage the business, pay the bills, correct manuscripts, schedule appointments, take the vehicles in for oil changes, dogs to the vet, anything and everything so that Gary can write books and Ruth can paint! So, I don't generally have issues with being bored!

 

[harleyquinn]

I'm Gary's assistant. He's written over 200 books and they cover so many diverse subjects. He writes humorous stories, sci-fi stories, westerns, adventure................wow.

When I started working for him, he told me that I'd need to read all the books he's written (one at a time, of course) so that I would be familiar with the storyline when a fan or publisher or whoever made inquiries. I thought it would be a "chore"...........boy was I wrong.

There's a reason he is so popular.............pure talent.

Whoa! How'd I miss that post!?

Do us librarians a favor and tell him he rocks! (I'm sure he already knows, but do it anyway). I can just see the conversation. Hey Gary, this librarian from the Disboards (the what?) um...she says you rock...um yeah...

 

[LindaR]

Harleyquinn, he knows about my Disneyism. He just smiles and asks if my daughter wants to go or if it's just me. He's also "rewarded" me with a couple of WDW trips over the years. It DOES instill alot of loyalty in me!!!!

 

[Adri]

And I'm a future children's librarian.

I think the only Gary Paulsen books I've read are Hatchet and The River, but I like both of them very much.