Guts

Gr 5 Up—Paulsen's collection of essays (Delacorte, 2001) are intended to draw parallels between his own incredible life experiences and the fictional wilderness survival adventures of Brian Robeson in Hatchet and the sequels, and it's chock full of survival tips. While each chapter begins with a brief paragraph from one of his books, it is not necessary to have read them to enjoy Guts. Brian's methods of survival are drawn from Paulsen's own experiences growing up and working in the north woods. He taught himself to hunt with a rifle at the age of 12, and had been hunting with bow and arrows (which he made himself) for some time before he acquired the rifle. Paulsen describes his first kills and, despite his love of the sport, his mixed feelings about ending the animals' lives. He mentions that the meat of an animal that you've killed and cooked yourself is delicious. And includes numerous tips on cooking without pots or utensils. Chapters like "Things That Hurt," "Killing to Live," and "Eating Eyeballs and Guts or Starving" provide much practical information on surviving in the wild. He's not sparing with the gory details. Patrick Lawlor's reading is true to the uninterrupted style in which each chapter is written. It is much like listening to one's grandfather reminisce about his youth. A one way conversation to savor, and store up for future use.—Cary Frostick, Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Falls Church, VA