Gary Paulsen's most acclaimed work tells the story of 13 year old Brian Robeson. After his parents' divorce, Brian is travelling to the Canadian oil fields to visit his father. But, during the flight, the pilot of the two-seater plane suffers a fatal heart attack. Somehow Brian must land the plane and then survive in the wilderness with just his wits and a hatchet, a present from his mother.

Recipient of the Newberry Honor, this gripping story unsentimentally presents the reality of nature, its cruelty and its beauty.