Gone to the Woods by Gary Paulsen

 368 pages / 6 hrs, 45 mins

"His name is synonymous with high-stakes wilderness survival adventures. Now, beloved author Gary Paulsen portrays a series of life-altering moments from his turbulent childhood as his own original survival story. If not for his summer escape from a shockingly neglectful Chicago upbringing to a North Woods homestead at age five, there never would have been a Hatchet. Without the encouragement of the librarian who handed him his first book at age thirteen, he may never have become a reader. And without his desperate teenage enlistment in the Army, he would not have discovered his true calling as a storyteller."  --from the publisher

This was very interesting, but I found it quite disjointed. Three stars from me.

Northwind by Gary Paulsen

 256 pages, 3 hrs, 58 mins

"The story of a young person's battle to stay alive against the odds, where the high seas meet a coastal wilderness.

"When a deadly plague reaches the small fish camp where he lives, an orphan named Leif is forced to take to the water in a cedar canoe. He flees northward, following a wild, fjord-riven shore, navigating from one danger to the next, unsure of his destination. But the deeper into his journey he paddles, the closer he comes to his truest self as he connects to 'the heartbeat of the ocean . . . the pulse of the sea.'" --from the publisher

The story is a kind of journey of the soul, which is hauntingly beautiful considering it is Mr. Paulsen's last book. I give it three out of five stars.

Road Trip by Gary Paulsen

 

Road Trip by Gary Paulsen -- 114 pages

Ben has just been informed he's going on a road trip with his father -- a road trip he's not sure he wants to go on.  He wants to rescue the dog there travelling to save.  But he doesn't want to spend any time with his dad.  So invites along his thuggish friend Theo.  Then they're joined by a cranky mechanic who lends them his school bus for the trip.  Next they're joined by a waitress who reads aura.  This is going to be one memorable road trip.

I listened to this on audio.  I found the story to be interesting and fun.  I loved the parts that were narrated by Ben's current pet dog Atticus.  I would definitely recommend this book (or audio).

Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood by Gary Paulsen

Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood by Gary Paulsen - 357 pages

Gary Paulsen tells the story of his childhood focusing on the times spent with his aunt and uncle as a small child, living in post-WWII Philippines, and his teenage years.  He also ends his remembrances with his time in the army.  The majority of this book is not happy memories.  He had a hard childhood with two drunk parents that neglected him.  Still, ultimately the book is hopeful as he finds his place -- both in the woods and in the library.

I've been looking forward to this book since I heard it was coming out.  I was expecting more of a survival story set in the woods.  Instead the woods are just a small portion that he shared in this book.  Still, I enjoyed the story of how he overcame the disadvantages he had to become who he was meant to be.  I did listen to this on audio and the audio version was well done.

 

Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat by Gary Paulsen

Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat by Gary Paulsen - 140 pages

Six kids are waiting out a storm in the school bathroom after school.  Six very different kids who are going to discover themselves and some new friends.  Six kids and a stuffed cat . . . .


This is the latest from Gary Paulsen.  I listened to it on audio.  It was a great short read for kids.  As an added bonus, the story was turned into a one-act play that was also included in the book.  While the play was interesting and would be easy for kids to do as a readers theater, I really liked the short story better as it had even more character development.