Dear Parents,
This term your 8th grade student in the Bilingual Program will be reading Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. This will not be an adapted or abridged text, but rather the original work of American young adult literature. This novel won the renowned Newberry Medal in 1988 and was also ranked as one of the 100 Best Young Adult Books by Time magazine in 2015. In this letter we’d like to give you some background about the novel, mention the benefits and challenges of the book, and also make suggestions for how you could help.
Why is it important for my child to read in English?
Reading in any language expands the mind and helps us explore vital topics and real-life situations, all the while allowing students to develop their comprehension skills, critical thinking capabilities and complexity of thought both in general and also in that specific language. Indeed, research indicates that reading skills directly relate to future academic and professional success. It can help students gain a deeper understanding of context and why characters – and people – make the choices they do. Reading also helps build independence and self-confidence and has a positive effect on the development of empathy as well as concentration. Finally, reading is a major resource for using and understanding language – including grammatical structure, lexical knowledge and writing skills. Not only can students pick up new words, but reading them in an authentic context can also help students understand the subtle nuances of the lexis that was chosen by the author. The same is true when we process the plot and character development through the linguistic structures employed by the author – helping students understand a variety of uses “in the linguistic wild”, as it were. All in all, reading in any language develops skills that are essential for each student’s continuing studies and life in general.
Why was this novel chosen?
Hatchet is one of Gary Paulsen’s most popular novels. From his extensive career writing over 200 coming of age books, Hatchet seems to hit the core of brilliance. While students can relate to the novel at many levels, the seriousness and suspense within the book are sure to captivate even the most reluctant teen audience. The reading level of the book is quite attainable and allows for students to make connections easily and independently. This, in turn, allows for more in-depth discussion and analysis of the novel’s deeper meaning and themes.
What are the benefits of this novel?
The main character, Brian, is easy to relate to, especially at this age, when your child is finding their way through the wilderness of adolescence and starting to forge their own path of self-reliance. Brian learns to rely on himself to survive his way through the wilderness while he is confronted time and time again by obstacles that threaten to end his life, allowing students to think about their own struggles. These challenges are met with fortitude and resilience, which are key skills in the development of teens into adulthood. Our main character also reflects on the skills and ideas he has already learned from a variety of experiences to help him through. This idea of thinking back on similar times and using the wisdom to move forward may seem simple to most adults, but for many teens this can be a foreign concept.
What are some of the challenges? / How can I as a parent help?
Throughout the novel Brian is faced not only with obstacles from nature and survival; he also confronts an internal struggle which peaks at a moment of weakness in which he sees no other way but self-harm. As Brian reflects on this moment of weakness, he realizes that he has overcome so much and should never let these types of thoughts take hold of him again. This is a difficult topic to discuss, but unfortunately one that is prevalent among youth. With guidance, compassion and understanding, this sensitive topic can open the door to a conversation about hope and strength.
Please let us know if you have further questions. We would like to thank you for your support in helping your son or daughter keep up with his or her chapter-by-chapter reading assignments at home. Finally, we hope your child learns from this novel and, most importantly, enjoys reading it!
Best regards: Anthony Laudadio, Head of Education – Primary & High Schools