I was eating my breakfast Thursday morning when it scrolled across the screen that Gary Paulsen had died. I knew right away that I wanted to write a post about him. Paulsen’s writing accomplished the impossible: getting reluctant readers to enjoy reading.
Since each reader is unique, the key to hooking a reluctant reader is finding the book that will appeal to them. Paulsen more than any author I know, had a knack for writing books that you can hand to almost any kid, and they will enjoy it. It is a rare kid who would find no interest in stories about animals, survival or humor. There’s a Paulsen story for everyone.
My personal favorite Paulsen book is the autobiography My Life in Dog Years. Paulsen highlights the dogs who shaped his life in stories that are touching, suspenseful and humorous. But for most students, Hatchet is the book of choice. Through the years, I’ve had many students who insist that Hatchet is the only book they like. That’s okay because Hatchet is what I would call a gateway book; once you experiment with Hatchet, you will start trying other books. There are four more books in Brian’s Saga, plus Guts , the nonfiction companion. From there, you can move onto survival stories by other authors or other Paulsen books which may lead you to other genres. Before you even realize its happening, Hatchet isn’t the only book you like.
The mark Gary Paulsen left on young readers is indelible, and he will be missed.