Chapter 11

Hatchet

Trailblazers · 4th–6th

Copywork

He had gotten depressed thinking about how they hadn't found him yet, and when he was busy and had something to do the depression seemed to leave. So there were things to do.

Read the passage aloud. What does the short last sentence do after the long one?

Discussion

Narration Tell the chapter back in order: reburying the eggs, the wood, noticing how he has changed, the signal fire, the view from the bluff, and the fish.

1. Brian laughs that "cleaning the camp" is only shaking out his windbreaker and smoothing the sand. Why does he say it was still "a mental thing"?Inference

2. Brian says "I am not the same" and "I see, I hear differently." What do you think is changing in him, and why?Character

3. Brian decides to keep a signal fire ready rather than light one every day. Was that a sound choice?Moral reasoning

4. Brian sees the kingfisher catch a fish and thinks "Of course." Why might it have taken a bird to show him?Theme

5. Paulsen ends the chapter with Brian's plans rolling together, then repeats "There were these things to do." Why might he end that way?Author's choice

Make a Connection Tell about a time keeping busy helped you feel better, or didn't.

Vocabulary

Crossword

1				2

			3

				4

	5				6


		7
8

Across

Across 1. Very sad and low in spirit.
Across 3. Turning brown from the sun.
Across 4. Twisted and knotty, like an old tree.
Across 5. Made up; formed.
Across 8. A high, steep bank or cliff.

Down

Down 2. So large it is hard to believe.
Down 6. Came out into view.
Down 7. To tempt something to come closer.
Down 8. Having a lot to do.

The words in the chapter

depressed He had gotten depressed thinking about how they hadn't found him yet
busy when he was busy and had something to do the depression seemed to leave
staggering what a staggering amount of wood it would take
tanning so he was tanning
comprised the rock ridge that comprised the bluff over his shelter

bluff the bluff over his shelter
gnarled bent and gnarled
emerged It emerged a split part of a second later.
lure if he could somehow lure them into the shallows

Critical thinking

1. On the bluff Brian feels a moment of terror and then is caught up in the view. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what carries him from one to the other.

2. Brian moves the eggs and does not eat another. Using two pieces of evidence, explain how he holds himself back.

3. Brian tries to grab a fish and fails. Using two pieces of evidence, explain what he decides to do next.