Tracker

The book Tracker by Gary Paulsen explores growing up, grief, and the connection between humans and nature. This middle grade novel is about a 13-year-old boy, John Borne, who has to hunt alone in the Minnesota woods to provide food for his family while his grandfather is dying of cancer. The story follows his hunt of a doe, which becomes a journey of self-discovery as he grapples with grief, loss, and what hunting means to him.

Some passages in this Newbery Honor book are beautifully written - however, I sat on his review for weeks because I was conflicted. It was well crafted, especially in the early section, but there were aspects that made me want to DNF and also not want to pass it on to any of the children in my life. In my view, show more there was animal cruelty worse than killing for subsistence - and the lack of are shown (approval or self-satisfaction) by John and his grandfather bothered me to the point that I felt this is an older middle grade book and should be discussed with parents or teachers rather than being viewed as a simple coming of age adventure. show less

A simple story of life and death, some magical thinking of youth, and slowly walking down a deer. Some beautiful prose read well by Frank Muller, but lacks a real narrative punch, and instead becomes more slice of life.

For the first time, I think I can say that I liked a book better because I listened to the audio version instead of reading it. The reader, Frank Muller, was so so good. Every time he said "make meat" or "give death" I got shivers.

About the book itself: I can see how a lot of readers would not be so into it. There's zero humor and not much action. But if you're compelled by the craft of writing, this little book is riveting. The boy at the center of it (John, who I think was a teenager) doesn't look at the world the way most kids I know do. He's grave and takes his responsibilities to his family very seriously. His grandfather is terminally ill, so John has to go hunt deer alone in the Minnesota wilderness. He finds a doe, but then show more something strange happens. To describe the plot any further would make it sound ridiculous, I think. You just have to read it. show less

Summary: The story is about a boy named John, he lives with his Grandparents on a farm. John helps around on the farm attending to the crops and animals. Every year, his Grandfather and him go hunting for deer, during the deer hunting season. However, his Grandfather has just been diagnosed with cancer. Although John tries to get his Grandfather to join him this year, he eventually goes alone. He soon encounter a beautiful doe, and he begins tracking her down for 2 days. As he tracks her down, he goes over how pretty this world is and eventually can't kill her when given the chance. He touches her on the head and heads back to the house empty handed. When coming back to the house he accepts the fact that his Grandfather is dying and at show more the end he announces that he will do his Grandfathers chores the next day, so his Grandfather may rest.

Opinion: Well this book, to be honest almost made me cry. It's very well written and touched my right in my soft spot (my grandfather was also diagnosed with cancer, but luckily he survived) The way that John and his grandma, Aggie, can't accept that his Grandfather is going to die is really sad. Though when tracking down the doe and choosing not to kill her, because the doe somehow symbolizes his Grandfather in some way. John thought he could save his Grandfather but, now respects life and death, makes for a really touching story. I would definitely recommend this, unless you can't deal with some heart shattering and heartwarming moments. The only reason that I rated this a 4 1/2 is because it did almost make me cry, which means it's a good book, I just don't like crying. show less

I've been reading Gary Paulsen and liking his books, but this one... this one blows me away. It is just so good.


Tracker is a brief but stunning narrative about death and life, of coming to grips with the way things are. It's the story about a young teen, John, who lives with his grandmother and grandfather on a farm that has been in their family for generations. Like many of us John wants his life to remain stagnant, unchanging. But his grandfather has cancer. And he has been given less than a year to live.

It is with all of this emotional baggage that he heads out alone to hunt deer on the first day of the Hunting Season. It is the first time that he goes by himself, and the ensuing story brought me to tears.

Talking Points:::
Don't show more rely on my inability to do justice to this fine book. It's less than 100 pages long so read it!

The setting is in the near past, where hand pumps were still used indoors, and where wood heated homes on some farms in the U.S.

I highly recommend this book for the home shelves. It is absolutely the sort of book that you could read every decade only to find yourself discovering a new layer to think about.

That said, it's not a book I would necessarily recommend to kids or even some young adults. In my opinion, it's been mislabeled and should be listed as fiction for adults.

a mini-review
(booksforkids-reviews.com) show less

John is 13, raised by his grandparents since he was orphaned. But now his grandfather is dying. John is struggling with the unfairness of it all when a beautiful doe seems to beckon him to follow her.

Intriguing look at how a family faces impending death, and not depressing at all.

I really enjoyed Tracker. Although the cover may look like a scarey book, the story within is moving to anyone who reads it. A young boy John, who always hunted with his grandfather, is now forced to hunt alone, due to his grandfather's cancer. This story is relatable to almost any age and/or interest. Those who are losing someone or have lost someone could relate to the feelings John has, as he learns to cope with a loved one dying. Those who love hunting may learn a new understanding for killing deer. Gary Paulsen created a wonderful story that is a must read for everyone.