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The River

by Gary Paulsen Publisher: EMBER

A wilderness return with another life at stake

Regular price $14.41 USD
Regular price $24.02 USD Sale price $14.41 USD
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Paperback New English

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Print BookAvailable Hardcover $17.50 USD$29.17 USD
Print BookCurrently viewing Paperback $14.41 USD$24.02 USD
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Awards & Recognition

  • Book club selection

    IRA-CBC Children's Choice

    Selected as an IRA-CBC Children's Choice.

  • Editorial selection

    Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year

    Named a Best Book of the Year by Parents Magazine.

  • Author recognition

    Three-time Newbery Honor recipient

    Gary Paulsen is described as a three-time Newbery Honor recipient; this recognition is attributed to the author,...

AlbakiReads Editorial

A wilderness return with another life at stake

Two years after surviving alone in the Canadian wilderness, Brian Robeson returns at the government’s request, accompanied by psychologist Derek Holtzer. When a storm leaves Derek unconscious, Brian must get him down an unfamiliar river to a trading post. The challenge shifts from surviving on his own to building a raft, navigating the river, and keeping someone else alive. The Canadian wilderness remains central, but the river journey gives Brian’s earlier experience a new purpose: skills once used for his own survival now have to serve another person.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Teens and young adults interested in wilderness survival fiction
  • Readers who want a continuation of Brian Robeson’s story from Hatchet
  • Readers drawn to adventure centered on river navigation and survival challenges

Themes

Wilderness survivalResourcefulnessResponsibility for another personAdaptation to unfamiliar conditions

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

The government sends Brian back to the Canadian wilderness in this beloved follow-up to the award-winning classic Hatchet from three-time Newbery Honor-winning author Gary Paulsen!

Two years after Brian Robeson survived fifty-four days alone in the Canadian wilderness, the government wants him to head back so they can learn what he did to stay alive. This time Derek Holtzer, a government psychologist, will accompany him. But a freak storm leaves Derek unconscious. Brian's only hope is to transport Derek a hundred miles down the river to a trading post. He's survived with only a hatchet before--now can Brian build a raft and navigate an unknown river?

For the first time it's not only Brian's survival that's at stake. . .


An IRA-CBC Children's Choice
A Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year


"Vividly written, a book that will, as intended, please the readers who hoped that Paulsen, like Brian, would 'do it again.'" --Kirkus Reviews

Read all the Hatchet Adventures!
Brian's Winter
The River
Brian's Return
Brian's Hunt
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Customer reviews

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AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

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Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

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Olivia

Smooth.