Brian's Hunt [Library Binding]

Gary Paulsen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 23, 2003 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

Millions of readers of Hatchet, The River, Brian’s Winter, and Brian’s Return know that Brian Robeson is at home in the Canadian wilderness. He has stood up to the challenge of surviving alone in the woods. He prefers being on his own in the natural world to civilization.

When Brian finds a dog one night, a dog that is wounded and whimpering, he senses danger. The dog is badly hurt, and as Brian cares for it, he worries about his Cree friends who live north of his camp. His instincts tell him to head north, quickly. With his new companion at his side, and with a terrible, growing sense of unease, he sets out to learn what happened. He sets out on the hunt.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The multitudes of Gary Paulsen fans (or more accurately, Brian fans) will be thrilled to find that the author has penned yet another story about Brian Robeson. Although Paulsen once claimed that he would "write no more about Brian," he seems to have been softened by the "staggering amounts of mail from readers" begging for more about the teen who is more at home alone in the wilderness than in the hustle and bustle of city life. In Brian’s Hunt, the 16-year-old returns to the remote woods and lakes of Canada, where he encounters a mysteriously injured dog. His experiences two years earlier, after surviving a plane crash and months alone with only a hatchet to protect and provide for himself (Hatchet, Brian’s Winter, etc.), have prepared him well to survive now. But can anything prime him for the horror that awaits him on an island campsite where he intends to meet his Cree friends?

This short episode is rife with the kind of gritty--even gruesome--details readers have come to expect from the Newbery Honor author. In an afterword, Paulsen reminds readers that he bases his stories on personal experiences and his extensive knowledge of the wild side of nature.

Confidential to avid fans: an intimation of romance amid all the rugged drama hints that this will not be the last Brian book, either. (Ages 10 to 13) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-In an author's note, Paulsen explains why he decided to reopen the story first begun in Hatchet (Bradbury, 1987). In this short installment, Brian, now 16, is back in the wilderness and encounters a savagely wounded dog. He makes his way to the lake island home of the Cree man he met in Brian's Return (Delacorte, 1999), where he discovers the tragedy that led to the dog's liberation. David and his wife have been partially eaten by a bear, which necessitates the hunt mentioned in the title and described in the final chapter. Throughout, the protagonist frequently remembers events from his original stranding, alludes to the problems he had faced trying to return to "civilization," and ultimately explains the special arrangement by which he has returned to the "bush" instead of high school. Although the story does stand alone, these many references will make the audience want to read (or reread) the earlier books. This story is not as well developed as the other episodes but it is a must-read for the hordes of existing Hatchet fans out there, and it may also serve to draw some new readers into the fold. An afterword discusses bear behavior and Paulsen's experiences with these animals.
Sean George, Memphis-Shelby County Public Library & Information Center, Memphis, TN
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 112 pages
• Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books (December 23, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385908822
• ISBN-13: 978-0385908825
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,429,508 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary Paulsen is one of the most honored writers of contemporary literature for young readers. He has written more than one hundred book for adults and young readers, and is the author of three Newberry Honor titles: Dogsong, Hatchet, and The Winter Room. He divides his time among Alaska, New Mexico, Minnesota, and the Pacific.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars difference, February 12, 2004

By 

Devin Hamilton (Garden City, KS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brian's Hunt (Hardcover)

This a good read. Though it is shorter than most of Paulsen's work, it is good. I didn't like the changes though. Like he brought more books than what The List in Brian's Return said, freeze dried food, the three pairs of moccasins, the monoculars, and the barbed fish tips for his arrows. Plus it didn't mention Caleb, after all he wouldn't be there without him. And it didn't mention his medicine or Billy. It was written in a different in a different way than the other Brian books. If you have read the other Brian books you will see a different writing style. It might be because Brian is finally in a hurry to get somewhere, but The River isn't written in this way. Overall I liked it and will continue reading Paulsen's work.I have been reading for more than seven years and liking his work. I have never and probably never find a Paulsen book I don't like.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Brain's hunt review, June 8, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Brian's Hunt (Hardcover)

Brian's Hunt by Gary Paulson
Review by "Prince of Persia"

It's the middle of the night and Brian is in the middle of the lake in his canoe. Something wakes Brian up. Though hears nothing, he senses that there is something on the shore of the lake. Something.... but what?
Brian is a boy who has survived the wilderness in the past, and he bravely decides to venture north again. Along the way he mysteriously finds a dog that is lonely, hungry, and hurt. However, when he reaches the Cree camp, he sees no smoke and the dog is nervously shaking.
One of the things that amazes readers is the descriptive language. For example, the author creates a mind picture, which helps you "see" the story. Without the descriptive language it would be difficult to understand the setting. I believe that this book has an enjoyable amount of action. For instance, there is a bear attack scene in the book that is dripping with excitement.
Finally, this is an interesting book because of its suspense. The author writes in such a way that makes you want to read on. The story leads to a scary, surprise ending that will not disappoint the reader!
To sum up, this book a great read because it has action, descriptive language, and suspense. It would be a good idea to read the prequels to better understand the story.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BRIANS HUNT, September 20, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Brian's Hunt (Hardcover)

My story is about ayoung man who takes a camping trip to the vast candain bush to vist some old Indian trapper friends . Along the way he picks up a wounded indian wolf dog ,that has seen better day. Senseing that somthing is wrong, Brian quickens his pace. When he arrives at the camp he finds it abondoned, noticing that his new sompanion is growling at somthing on the ground, cautiously Brian approaches and finds a track of a obivious rouge bear . Following the tracks into the dark forest, he soon finds himself staring into death itself eye`s. Brians hunt is a fine book and I give it 5 stars. I recomednd this book that is old enough to read!!!!.