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debandleo's review
4.0
This started a little slow but I found myself rooting hard for the boy to overcome the horrific childhood he’d been dealt. One can thoroughly see how he came to be the author of Hatchet.
cosmicrenaissance's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
heidisreads's review
4.0
Gary Paulsen’s memoir of his childhood will get reviews saying it is for adults, but, it’s not. His way of writing - simply telling the story - is present here. Writing difficult situations in a way that kids can understand and relate to is present here. This book has difficult situations - abusive, alcoholic parents, war, and hunger and poverty. But, there are kids in our world today who are living with these challenges and those kids and their friends need this book!
I read an interview with Paulsen about this memoir and he says “I try to be honest about it. But the truth is, if I can make it, any kid can make it.”
I picked up this book because I was adding it to our library’s collection and one source told me to put it in the adult section and another said to add it to the children’s section. I’ve read many of Paulsen’s other books (as a kid and again as an adult), so I decided to bring it home and read it so I could defend it wherever it ended up in our library.
I read an interview with Paulsen about this memoir and he says “I try to be honest about it. But the truth is, if I can make it, any kid can make it.”
I picked up this book because I was adding it to our library’s collection and one source told me to put it in the adult section and another said to add it to the children’s section. I’ve read many of Paulsen’s other books (as a kid and again as an adult), so I decided to bring it home and read it so I could defend it wherever it ended up in our library.
knbee's review
4.0
I read Hatchet as a school assignment in 6th grade. It was devoured by this then nonreader. I’m in my 40’s now and still remember scenes from that book. It clearly left an impression. Can’t say I’ve read much more by him, but knowing a bit about his life in advance, I was interested in reading this new autobiography. So glad I did. There was much difficulty in his life, for sure, but the sweet moments were so incredibly sweet, like living with his aunt and uncle in the woods of Minnesota and discovering his public library, that it left this now big reader (and librarian) with a lasting joy. I bet those scenes will be remembered many years from now as well. His writing is frank, and considering all he lived, I think this is better suited to teens (and adults) than kids.
debbieurbanski's review
5.0
I think this book is especially fascinating if you're fan of Hatchet. It's interesting to see how that book emerged from Paulsen's own life experiences. There is also several beautiful, beautiful chapters about learning to love books and finding writing via a wonderful librarian.
katiecaytonholland's review
5.0
This one’s for all of us who grew up on Gary Paulsen books. Absolutely loved it.
thenextgenlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Gary Paulsen is synonymous with middle grade adventure survival stories such as Hatchet and Woods Runner, but in his memoir Paulsen writes a collection of short stories about his childhood through adulthood. If not for the woods, a librarian and the military, Paulsen would not be the author we know today. This is great for those who want an insight into the mind of this amazing and prolific writer and to remind librarians why we do what we do. Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book. Grab your copy January 12.