Gary Paulson

Born in Minnesota in 1939, he was raised by his grandmother and aunts. Paulsen used his work as a magazine proofreader to learn the craft of writing. In 1966, his first book was published under the name of The Special War. Using his varied life experiences, especially those of an outdoorsman (a hunter, trapper, and three-time competitor in Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race), Paulsen writes about what he knows best.

Much of Paulsen's work features the outdoors and highlights the importance of nature. He often uses coming of age themes in his novels, where a character masters the art of survival as a rite of passage to manhood.

The Hatchet

Thirteen year old Brian Robeson is on

his way to visit his father when the single engine

plane in which he is flying crashes. Suddenly, Brian

finds himself alone in the Canadian Wilderness

with nothing but his clothing, a tattered wind breaker,

and the hatchet his mother has given him as a

present – and the dreadful secret that has been tearing

him apart ever since his parents’ divorce. But now

Brian has no time for anger, self-pity, or despair –

it will take all his know how and determination, and

more courage than he knew he possessed, to survive.

Other Works

Over 200 hundred Books (many which are out on print)

Brian’s Saga

Murphy Series

Alida’s Series

Culpepper Adventures

World of Adventure