The River by Gary Paulsen

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Bibliographic Information:

The River by Gary Paulsen

ISBN: 0-385-30388-2

1991 Bantam Doubleday, New York, NY

Plot Summary:

The River begins two years after Brian Robeson’s survival adventure in the wilderness that was told in Hatchet. Brian answers the door one day to a group of men asking him to go back into the wilderness and show them how he survives.

For some reason, Brian and his parents agree to the plan and Brian embarks on an adventure with psychologist Derek. Derek is not an outdoorsman and is with Brian to observe and take notes on Brian’s survival skills.

Over the course of the first few days, the men work together, find shelter, build fires and find food. Unfortunately, something has to happen to cause problems. That something is a thunderstorm. Derek reaches out to the radio he and Brian have and he and the radio are struck.

Brian decides that he has to find a way to get Derek help before any of the others would become alarmed. He figures out a way to reach the closest people, devises a plan, builds a raft and endures days of steering them down the river to a trading post where he hopes he can find help.

Critical Evaluation:

The River is a very quick read and readers who read its predecessor, Hatchet, will recognize Brian’s behaviors and choices. One addition to this story about Brian is that he has a companion, so he speaks out loud sometimes, where his previous story was a lot shorter on dialogue.

Having another person to interact with changes Brian’s choices. In order to survive, Brian must help his companion, Derek, get to help. How does the audience know the adventure is going to happen? Brian talks about the choice to leave the outdoor gear behind when Derek and Brian get off their plane. On page 24 of the book, Brian mentions that this wilderness experience is a role reversal. He is the adult in this situation. This role reversal becomes even more extreme when Derek is incapacitate and the one tool Brian allowed him to bring from the plane is rendered unusable.

                           

After all the stories and the talking that goes on in the beginning of this novel, Brian once again survives without the help of others or modern conveniences. He is driven by a need to keep his companion alive.

Reader’s Annotation:

Brian agrees to return to the wilderness so that experts can observe his skills. What could go wrong?

Author Information:

Gary Paulsen was born in 1939 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He ran away from home at age fourteen to travel with a carnival. He began writing for a living many years (and jobs) later, and he published numerous articles and books for adults before writing his first book for young people. Now he writes books that he'd want to read if he were a kid. Of all the books he has written, Hatchet is one of his favorites. He says, "It struck some nerve that I still don't understand."

Paulsen researches his books very carefully and thoroughly; he calls this research "personal inspection at zero altitude." Whenever possible, he tries to experience firsthand the challenges his characters face, so that he can make his writing vivid and real.

Retrieved from https://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmr/mtai/paulsen.html 8/4/2015

Genre(s):

Action/Adventure

Curriculum Ties: Literature

Booktalk Ideas:

Reading level: Grade 7+

Interest age: 12+

Challenge Issues: There are no foreseeable challenge issues with this title.

Challenge Defense File

Why I chose this book:

I chose this book as a companion to Hatchet. Gary Paulsen revisits a character in this story who many reluctant readers have grown fond of and will return to read more about.