Gary Paulsen (1939–2021)

Author of Hatchet

253+ Works 81,427 Members 1,843 Reviews 50 Favorited

About the Author

Gary Paulsen was born on May 17, 1939 in Minnesota. He was working as a satellite technician for an aerospace firm in California when he realized he wanted to be a writer. He left his job and spent the next year in Hollywood as a magazine proofreader. His first book, Special War, was published in show more 1966. He has written more than 175 books for young adults including Brian's Winter, Winterkill, Harris and Me, Woodsong, Winterdance, The Transall Saga, Soldier's Heart, This Side of Wild, and Guts: The True Stories Behind Hatchet and the Brian Books. Hatchet, Dogsong, and The Winter Room are Newbery Honor Books. He was the recipient of the 1997 Margaret A. Edwards Award for his lifetime achievement in writing for young adults. (Bowker Author Biography) show less

Includes the names: Gray Paulsen, Gray Paulsen, Gary Paulsen, Gary Paulsen, Gary Paulson, by Gary Paulsen, Gary Paulsen editor, Gary Paulsen editor

Disambiguation Notice:

Gary Paulsen (1939-2021) was a popular writer of children's literature. He also wrote adult nonfiction (Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod).

Series

Brian's Saga

Lawn Boy

Tales to Tickle the Funnybone

Works by Gary Paulsen

Popular Recent

Hatchet (1987) 17,522 copies

Brian's Winter (1858) 5,553 copies

The River (1994) 4,153 copies

Brian's Hunt (2003) 3,278 copies

Lawn Boy (2007) 2,913 copies

Dogsong (1985) 2,813 copies

Brian's Return (2000) 2,614 copies

Woodsong (1990) 2,283 copies

The Winter Room (1989) 1,942 copies

Tracker (1984) 1,870 copies

Woods Runner (2010) 1,771 copies

Mudshark (2009) 1,677 copies

The Voyage of the Frog (1989) 1,490 copies

Nightjohn (1996) 1,280 copies

Harris and Me (1994) 1,223 copies

Soldier's Heart (1998) 1,214 copies

Mr. Tucket (1833) 1,040 copies

Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod (1994) 1,030 copies

Guts (2001) 1,029 copies

Lawn Boy Returns (2010) 999 copies

Canyons (1990) 969 copies

My Life in Dog Years (1998) 913 copies

The Haymeadow (1992) 909 copies

The Cookcamp (1991) 776 copies

Puppies, Dogs, and Blue Northers (1996) 737 copies

The Island (1988) 730 copies

The Transall Saga (1998) 674 copies

The Monument (1993) 652 copies

The Crossing (1987) 625 copies

The Tortilla Factory (1995) 597 copies

Liar, Liar: The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Deception (2011) 597 copies

Masters of Disaster (2010) 593 copies

The Rifle (1995) 525 copies

The Foxman (1977) 484 copies

How Angel Peterson Got His Name (2003) 484 copies

Notes from the Dog (2009) 482 copies

Sarny (1997) 445 copies

The Car (1994) 402 copies

Call Me Francis Tucket (1800) 397 copies

The Boy Who Owned The School (1990) 348 copies

Caught by the Sea: My Life on Boats (2001) 339 copies

Road Trip (2013) 336 copies

Flat Broke: The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Greed (2011) 331 copies

Dancing Carl (1983) 326 copies

A Christmas Sonata (1992) 324 copies

Tucket's Ride (Signature) (1656) 322 copies

This Side of Wild: Mutts, Mares, and Laughing Dinosaurs (2015) 313 copies

The Legend of Bass Reeves (2006) 310 copies

Tucket's Travels: Francis Tucket's Adventures in the West, 1847-1849 (2003) 302 copies

Shelf Life: Stories by the Book (2003) — Editor — 301 copies

Tucket's Gold (1999) 295 copies

Alida's Song (1999) 268 copies

Dogteam (1993) 263 copies

The Night the White Deer Died (1978) 261 copies

Sentries (1984) 258 copies

Escape, Return, Breakout (2000) 242 copies

Danger on Midnight River (1900) 240 copies

Crush: The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Love (2012) 238 copies

The Time Hackers (2005) 237 copies

The Legend of Red Horse Cavern (1994) 223 copies

Tracker / Dogsong / Hatchet (1987) 221 copies

The Schernoff Discoveries (1997) 215 copies

Canoe Days (1999) 196 copies

Gone to the Woods: Surviving a Lost Childhood (2021) 195 copies

Tucket's Home (1858) 192 copies

Hatchet: With Connections (HRW Library) (1998) 191 copies

Escape from Fire Mountain (1994) 191 copies

The Quilt (2004) 185 copies

The Tent (1995) 165 copies

Popcorn Days and Buttermilk Nights (1983) 163 copies

The Beet Fields: Memories of a Sixteenth Summer (2000) 157 copies

Clabbered Dirt, Sweet Grass (1992) 157 copies

Northwind (2022) 149 copies

Hatchet: With Related Readings (1999) 146 copies

Worksong (1997) 129 copies

Paintings from the Cave: Three Novellas (2011) 126 copies

Father Water, Mother Woods (1994) 123 copies

Molly McGinty Has a Really Good Day (2004) 116 copies

The Amazing Life of Birds: The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech (2006) 102 copies

The Seventh Crystal (1996) 99 copies

Field Trip (1605) 93 copies

Sisters/Hermanas (1993) 92 copies

Dunc's Halloween (1992) 89 copies

The Glass Cafe: Or the Stripper and the State; How My Mother Started a War with the System That Made Us Kind of Rich… (2000) 88 copies

Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat (2016) 87 copies

Eastern Sun, Winter Moon: An Autobiographical Odyssey (1993) 86 copies

Tiltawhirl John (1977) 76 copies

Cowpokes and Desperados (1993) 73 copies

How to Train Your Dad (2021) 71 copies

The Case of the Dirty Bird (1992) 66 copies

Pilgrimage on a Steel Ride: A Memoir About Men and Motorcycles (1997) 61 copies

Grizzly (1997) 59 copies

Rodomonte's Revenge (1994) 57 copies

Vote (2013) 56 copies

Family Ties (1800) 47 copies

Fishbone's Song (2016) 43 copies

Captive! (1995) 43 copies

Devil's Wall (1995) 42 copies

Culpepper's Cannon (1992) 41 copies

Curse of the Ruins (1998) 40 copies

Zero to Sixty: The Motorcycle Journey of a Lifetime (1999) 36 copies

Dunc and Amos Hit the Big Top (1993) 35 copies

Dunc Breaks the Record (1992) 35 copies

Dunc's Undercover Christmas (1993) 34 copies

Dunc Gets Tweaked (1992) 34 copies

Dunc and the Flaming Ghost (1992) 31 copies

Dunc's Doll (1992) 28 copies

Escape from Fire Mountain / Hook 'Em, Snotty! / Danger on Midnight River (2002) 27 copies

Amos Gets Famous (1992) 26 copies

Dunc and Amos and the Red Tattoos (1993) 26 copies

The Treasure Ship (1996) 23 copies

Dunc and Amos Meet the Slasher (1994) 22 copies

Transall Saga: Blue Light (1998) 21 copies

Hook 'Em Snotty (1995) 21 copies

Time Benders (1997) 19 copies

The Curse of the Cobra / The CB Radio Caper (1977) 19 copies

Perfect Danger (1996) 18 copies

The Gorgon Slayer (1995) 18 copies

Dunc and the Haunted Castle (1993) 18 copies

The Fourteenth Summer (1993) 17 copies

Coach Amos (1994) 17 copies

Dunc's Dump (1993) 17 copies

The Creature of Black Water Lake (1997) 17 copies

Dunc and the Scam Artists (1993) 17 copies

Complete Hatchet Set (Hatchet~The River~Brian's Winter~Brian's Return~Brian's Hunt) (1996) 16 copies

My Life In Dog Years: Ike (1997) 16 copies

Murphy's Trail (1996) 16 copies

Prince Amos (1994) 15 copies

Thunder Valley (1997) 15 copies

The Wild Culpepper Cruise (1993) 15 copies

Meteorite Track 291 (1979) 14 copies

Skydive (1996) 14 copies

Ice Race (1997) 13 copies

Madonna Stories (1989) 13 copies

Tasting the Thunder (1993) 12 copies

A Cry in the Wild [1990 film] (1991) — Screenwriter — 12 copies

Murphy's Ambush (Walker Western) (1995) 12 copies

Flight of the Hawk: World of Adventure Series, Book 18 (1998) 11 copies

Full of Hot Air: launching, floating high, and landing (1993) 11 copies

Dunc and the Greased Sticks of Doom (1994) 10 copies

Dunc and Amos Go to the Dogs (1996) 10 copies

Amos and the Vampire (1996) 10 copies

Amos's Killer Concert Caper (1994) 9 copies

Kill fee (1990) 9 copies

Amos Binder, Secret Agent (1996) 9 copies

Murphy's Gold (1989) 9 copies

Murphy's War (1990) 8 copies

My Life In Dog Years: Snowball (1997) 8 copies

Murphy's Herd (1989) 8 copies

Winterkill (1976) 8 copies

My Life in Dog Years: Dirk (1997) 8 copies

Amos Gets Married (1995) 8 copies

Amos Goes Bananas (1996) 8 copies

Amos and the Alien (1994) 7 copies

Dunc and Amos on Thin Ice (1997) 7 copies

The grass eaters (Real animals) (1976) 7 copies

Murphy's Stand (Thorndike Large Print Western Series) (1993) 7 copies

The Gary Paulsen Collection: Dancing Carl; Dogsong; Hatchet; Woodsong (2013) 7 copies

Amos and the Chameleon Caper (1996) 6 copies

Vento del Nord (2022) 6 copies

Farm: A History and Celebration of the American Farmer (1977) 6 copies

Murphy (1987) 6 copies

My Life in Dog Years: Fred 5 copies

Hiking and backpacking (1978) 5 copies

Beat the System: A Survival Guide (1982) 5 copies

Clutterkill (1981) 5 copies

TV & movie animals (1980) 4 copies

The Small Ones (1976) 4 copies

Super Amos (1997) 4 copies

Gefährliche Ferien (2005) 4 copies

Hatchet / The River (1999) 4 copies

Dogsong[DOGSONG][Paperback] (2007) 4 copies

Soldier's Heart: Novel-Ties Study Guide (2006) 4 copies

Il mio amico geniale (2021) 4 copies

Kevin Pack : 3 Book Pack By Gary Paulsen : Liar, Liar / Flat Broke / Crush (Kevin Trio) (2013) 4 copies

The Sweeper (1980) 4 copies

Nelle terre selvagge (2014) 4 copies

Dunc and the Scam Artists [and] Dunc and Amos and the Red Tatoos (1994) 4 copies

Hitting, pitching, and running--maybe (1976) 4 copies

Lawn Boy and Lawn Boy Returns Pack (2 Book Set By Gary Paulsen) (2012) 3 copies

Running, Jumping, and Throwing--If You Can (1978) 3 copies

Chance for Escape (1970) 3 copies

Literature Guide: Hatchet (Grades 4-8) (1999) 3 copies

Some birds don't fly (1968) 3 copies

Crush: The Theory, Practice and Destructive Properties of Love (Liar, Liar, #3) 3 copies

Hatchet / The Winter Room / Brian's Winter (1998) 3 copies

Sailing, from jibs to jibing (1981) 3 copies

Things I Like Copy Colour (2011) 2 copies

Woodsong (ABRIDGED) (1999) 2 copies

Overleven in de wildernis omnibus (2013) 2 copies

Plygu amser (2001) 2 copies

Tucket's Gold[TUCKET ADV BK04 TUCKETS GOLD][Paperback] (2001) 2 copies

The implosion effect (1976) 2 copies

Canoeing, kayaking, and rafting (1979) 2 copies

Hatchet / The River / Brian's Hunt / Dogsong 2 copies

Hatchet: Teacher Guide : Grades 7-8 (Literary Unit) (2019) 2 copies

Successful Home Repair: When Not to Call the Contractor (1978) 2 copies

The Island / The River / Hatchet / Curse of the Ruins / Dunc's Halloween 2 copies

Dribbling, shooting, and scoring--sometimes (1976) 2 copies

The CB Radio Caper (1977) 2 copies

℗L'℗inverno di Brian 1 copy

Maitre des cerveaux - a vos risques et perils (Le) (2004) 1 copy

Storie 1 copy

Nightjohn[NIGHTJOHN][Mass Market Paperback] 1 copy

My Life Dog in Years 1 copy

Call Me Francis Tucket[TUCKET ADV BK02 CALL ME FRANCI][Paperback] 1 copy

Tucket's Ride[TUCKET ADV BK03 TUCKETS RIDE][Paperback] 1 copy

Tucket's Home[TUCKET ADV BK05 TUCKETS HOME][Paperback] 1 copy

Guts The True Stories Behind Hatchet the Brian Books 1 copy

Brian's Hunt (A Hatchet Adventure). 1 copy

Yr Arth Grisli (Cyfres Byd O Beryglon) (Welsh Edition) (2001) 1 copy

Y llong drysor (Byd o beryglon Gary Paulsen) (2001) 1 copy

Clabbard dirt, sweet grass 1 copy

Allen in der Wildnis 1 copy

he Legend of Bass Reeves 1 copy

Brian's Return (A Hatchet Adventure, Band 4). 1 copy

This side of wild Mutts, Mares, and Laughing Dinosaurs. 1 copy

Woodsong Unknown edition by Paulsen, Gary (1990) Paperback 1 copy

Newbery Book Collection: A Gathering of Days, The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle, Rabbit Hill, Hatchet, The… (2009) 1 copy

How to train your dad. Eltern erziehen leicht gemacht: Ein Roman mit Dauergrinse-Garantie vom Bestsellerautor von… 1 copy

Lied der Wildnis. ( Ab 12 J.) 1 copy

Lied der Wildnis. 1 copy

Perygl ar Afon Lloer 1 copy

The Death Specialists (1977) 1 copy

My Life In Dog Years Snowball 1 copy

Toxic Crusaders (Deluxe Sticker Fun) (2011) 1 copy

Downhill, Hotdogging, and Cross-Country If the Snow Isn't Sticky (1979) 1 copy

Freiheit ohne Grenzen. Mit der Harley durch die USA. (2001) 1 copy

Riding, roping, and bulldogging--almost (1977) 1 copy

A Lesson plan book for Woodsong (Innovations, experiencing literature in the classroom) (1991) 1 copy

Gary Paulsen Set: Canyons + The Island + The Haymeadow + The Winter Room 1 copy

Martin Luther King: The Man Who Climbed the Mountain (1976) 1 copy

Gary Paulsen Set: The Winter Room + Woodsong + The River 1 copy

Gary Paulsen Set: Hatchet, Dogsong, Woodsong, Brian's Winter (1996) 1 copy

The Curse of the Cobra (1977) 1 copy

Tracker ~ Guided Reading Classroom Set (1984) 1 copy

The building a new, buying an old, remodeling a used, comprehensive home and shelter how-to-do-it book (1976) 1 copy

Compkill (1981) 1 copy

Nightjohn: Novel-Ties Study Guide (2001) 1 copy

Pied Piper 1 copy

Careers in an Airport (The Whole Works) (1977) 1 copy

Books 1 copy

Lawn Boy - 1 1 copy

Lawn Boy - 2 1 copy

Lawn Boy - 3 1 copy

Forehanding and backhanding--if you're lucky (1978) 1 copy

The green recruit (1978) 1 copy

Masters Of Disaster (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition) by Gary Paulsen (2011-08-09) (1621) 1 copy

Money saving home repair guide (1981) 1 copy

Puppies, Dogs and Blue Northers Reflections on Being Raised By a Pack of Sled Do (1996) 1 copy

The Tucket Adventures #5 Tucket's Home 1 copy

Gary Paulsen 4 Pack - Brian's Return - Dogsong - Brian's Winter - Woodsong (2001) 1 copy

Woodsong[WOODSONG][Paperback] 1 copy

Work Explorer

Associated Works

The Call of the Wild (1903) — Foreword, some editions — 20,103 copies

Guys Write for Guys Read (2005) — Contributor — 769 copies

Storm: Stories of Survival from Land and Sea (2000) — Contributor — 44 copies

Tagged

adventure (3,273) Alaska (537) American literature (250) animals (611) biography (211) boys (307) Canada (386) chapter book (738) children (267) children's (598) children's literature (224) classic (553) classics (625) coming of age (197) divorce (248) dogs (766) family (180) fiction (4,900) Gary Paulsen (402) historical fiction (837) humor (411) juvenile (268) juvenile fiction (299) literature (301) memoir (256) nature (447) Newbery (175) Newbery Honor (405) non-fiction (421) novel (462) read (394) realistic fiction (1,452) series (297) survival (2,496) to-read (1,087) wilderness (770) wolves (235) YA (773) young adult (1,043) young adult fiction (209)

Common Knowledge

Legal name: Paulsen, Gary Melvin
Birthdate: 1939-05-17
Date of death: 2021-10-13
Gender: male
Nationality: USA
Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Place of death: Tularosa, New Mexico
Cause of death: cardiac arrest
Places of residence: California, USA
Minnesota, USA
New Mexico, USA
Philippines
Occupations: children's book author
Relationships: Paulsen, Ruth Wright (wife)
Awards and honors: Margaret A. Edwards Award (1997)
Regina Medal (1995)
Disambiguation notice: Gary Paulsen (1939-2021) was a popular writer of children's literature. He also wrote adult nonfiction (Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod).

Members

Reviews

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

Wow. Growing up reading Hatchet every year for school, I knew a little of where Gary Paulsen came from (thanks to the 25th-anniversary edition). When I saw a chance to review this book, I jumped right on board.
The first thing that stuck out to me about Gone to the Woods was the writing style. It was quite similar to the one in Hatchet but it was a bit choppy due to fragmented sentences. This got old pretty quick considering the length of this book.
However, the story really drew me in. There was so much that Gary went through as a kid and it was quite moving.
I absolutely loved Gary's reaction of finishing his first book and the library.
This book is marketed as middle-grade, but I do not recommend it to middle-grade readers. It deals with a lot of difficult and mature topics (domestic violence, abuse, violence of war, mentions std's, drinking issues).
Rating: 3.5/5
Language: a**, d***, p***
Violence: see above
Romance: n/a
Spiritual: n/a
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.… (more)

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libraryofemma | 13 other reviews | Apr 18, 2024 |

Hatchet: 30th Anniversary Edition by Gary Paulsen

I’ve lost track of how many times I have read this book over the past 11 years. I’d recommend that everyone read this book at least once in their life.

4.5 Stars

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libraryofemma | 576 other reviews | Apr 18, 2024 |

Worksong by Gary Paulsen

I think this is a precious time capsule....it was published in 2000.

Life was so, so different then. A year before 9/11. Before social media took over. I wonder what our work song would sound like now, 24 years later.

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mrsandersonreads23 | 4 other reviews | Apr 14, 2024 |