content: Gary Paulson is an excellent storyteller with a keen sense of adventure. the story opens with a young boy en route via a small plane to see his father in the wilderness when the plane crashes and the pilot dies. All the boy has is a tiny hatchet that was given to him before he left on his trip. He sets out on a path of survival as he awaits rescuing. This book contains mature themes (death, consequences, mistakes) that portray the realistic images that Gary paulson portrays. Having three Scouts in the house, this was an adventure book they all approved of enought that they have encouraged us to purchase more Gary Paulson books.