Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

After a plane crash, thirteen-year-old Brian spends fifty-four days in the wilderness, learning to survive initially with only the aid of a hatchet given him by his mother, and learning also to survive his parents’ divorce.

Liz says:

“At this point, we can call this book a classic. It is my favorite survival story of all time. Brian is an unforgettable character and Paulsen is an amazing writer. If you like this, there are sequels – The River (skip this one – it’s not on par with the others), Brian’s Winter, Brian’s Return and Brian’s Hunt.”