An award-winning young-adult fiction novel written in 1986 that follows the heart-stopping adventure of thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson who survived a plane crash as he was traveling to visit his father for the first time since the divorce of his parents.

 The riveting novel is a story of survival and transformation. Exhausted and terrified, thirteen-year-old Brian finds himself stranded in the remote Canadian wilderness, with only his clothing and a hatchet, which was a gift from his mother before his departure. Without special knowledge of the woods, will Brian be able to meet the day-to-day challenges in the woods? Are the fruits on the tree poisonous? The book follows Brian’s challenging journey through the woods as he learns how to turn his obstacles into his advantage – will Brian be able to make it alone in the wilderness?

From learning how to make fire to hunting for food – survival is a strong theme in the book. Brian was at first consumed by misery and self-pity but he had eventually learnt to pluck up the courage to stay alive. The page-turning novel is more of a survival guide than a work of fiction. What does this book say about the attitude towards challenges? In your opinion, which part of the story do you find inspiring?