Monday, March 19, 2012

Brian's Winter by Gary Paulsen

Have you ever read a story and wondered what would have happened if the author ended it differently?  Mr. Paulsen's book The Hatchet has stuck in my mind since I read it and this book provides an alternate ending to his well written story.

Ember, a division of Random House Teens, sent me a copy of this book for review (thank you).  It was published in mid-March, so you should be able to grab a copy at your local bookstore now.

Brian had survived his plane crash and managed to find enough food to keep him self alive in the wilds.  What he didn't notice was how quickly the weather was changing.  He had no idea he's be there through the winter, too.  He also wasn't prepared for it.

A young teen with no real weapons or knowledge of the woods was hard-pressed to stay alive in the summer months.  The winter provided an even bigger challenge and brought new predators to his door.

Just reading this book made me cold.  I can't imagine trying to survive in glacial weather.  Brian thought he heard gunshots and it was just the tree limbs exploding from the hard freeze.  That's cold!

Mr. Paulsen has experienced this weather and speaks practically about it.  His depiction of Brian and his challenges are authentic and he shows how you learn to think and do the things you must to survive.  You might learn something about yourself you didn't want to know.  Life on your own in the wild is harsh, cold and cruel.  

Why not follow Brian through his winter in the wild and see if you think you could be as inventive and determined as he is?

Happy reading.

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